Des charpentiers à l’œuvre

Abstract

The identical reconstruction of the timber framework of the roof of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has necessitated traditional techniques, leading sometimes to their rediscovery. One of the most important of these rediscoveries concerns technical drawings, graphic representations, but these have not been much publicised, largely because of their complexity. But this use of graphic representations was particularly vital for the reconstruction of the spire of the cathedral, an element of considerable complexity at the centre of discussions between carpenters, architects and engineering consultants. Their use drew attention to the difficulties and paradoxes of reproducing a structure in identical form but still respecting the obligations of contemporary society for example in relation to health and security. Circulating between the different professionals and their particular issues, the graphic representation of the spire of Notre-Dame also circulated between generations. In order to draw it up, it was necessary to go back to the archives of Viollet-le-Duc and to the Bellu firm. One of its carpenters, Henri Georges, a ‘compagnon’ known as ‘Angevin l’enfant du genie’, constructed the original spire. Another graphic representation was provided by a 1970s survey carried out by three trainee compagnon-carpenters who made a model of the spire as part of their reception. But, through the logics of the construction of the spire, what was transmitted between the generations was more than mere skill, perhaps, above all, a state of mind, a system of values, a conception of what work means.

Keywords

• Notre-Dame de Paris
• spire
• identical restoration
• carpentry
• compagnonnage
• graphic representation