In the Ateliers Desmonts, more than 1000 oaks passed into the hands of the companions. Transformed into a beam, they constitute the new framework of the nave of Notre-Dame. The craftsmen give us their views on this “inspiring” construction site, and on a much-anticipated reopening of the building.
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« Thanks to this project, I can say that I became a carpenter “. Each craftsman encountered in the Desmonts workshops, in Nassandres-sur-Risle (Eure), recounts with passion the significant episode they have just experienced, both on a professional and personal level.
« I learned a lot », says Mathieu, one of the carpenters. “ It was really very inspiring, adds Antoine, we teamed up with Americans, English… Obviously it’s enriching. »
-The Eure company was responsible for the framework of the nave of Notre Dame Cathedral. If she won the call for tenders, it is because she was the only one or almost the only one to master old-fashioned techniques, and in particular the handling of certain very specific tools: the clamshell ax or the doloire .
To respect the methods of the 13th century, the squaring (to shape the circular trunk into a rectangular shape) is finished with the doloire, a structural axe: this allows the fibers of the wood to be respected. We went to the site in April 2023 to film these techniques.
« This project is a great human asset,” smiles Rémy Desmonts. It was he who chose all the oaks used. Transformed into a beam, they constitute the new framework of the nave of Notre-Dame: 100 meters long by 13 meters wide.
The master carpenter and two of his employees were honored by Emmanuel Macron. The President of the Republic invited them to the last site visit to the cathedral. Rémy Desmonts was able to exchange a few words with him.
The three carpenters will also attend the inauguration of Notre Dame this Saturday, December 7, 2024.There is a reception on the square with different heads of state… And us! It will be a great pleasure to share this highlight“, explains Remy Desmonts.
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