Three aspiring Journeymen carpenters from the city of Anglet have carried out a model of the framework of Notre Dame de Paris cathedral. A masterpiece, like a test in the context of their passage from aspirant to official companion. Decision taken the day after the serious fire that affected the Parisian cathedral in April 2019. “This unfortunate fire really traumatized us, explains Alain Lespiaucq, trainer at Compagnons charpentier. “It was really a double double penalty, I think like all French people, to see this building which is both magnificent and historically important for our country and then touched also as a carpenter because when we see a fire in ‘a frame, whatever it is, is heartbreaking. And there, it is even more important since the forest of Notre Dame was of origin for more than 800 years “.
Between 2,500 and 3,000 hours of work
By mutual agreement, the management had the idea of offering three young aspirants the creation of this 1/20 scale model of Notre Dame de Paris. Among them, Valentin, who seduced by this project. “When I was offered this project, _I was very happy because it is like an emblematic French monument_. It was an honor to be able to work on this. “So, with two of his comrades, they worked for 6 months, outside of their full time job.
The model of the cathedral required between 2,500 and 3,000 hours of precise work, and meticulous. We first had to start by knowing how the frame was. “There is no plan“, explains Alain Lespiaucq.”We found many photos of the framework of Notre-Dame, we found sketches made by architects“. They used drawing software, then it was necessary to cut the wood, and assemble everything. At the end, the model measures more than four meters in height, and is currently on display in the companions’ center in Anglet, which serves currently the commune’s vaccination center.
A masterpiece which not only enabled the three aspirants to become official companions, but which serves as a sort of showcase for the work of craftsmen. “It makes us smile a little or even sometimes moan to hear that French artisans no longer want to work as they used to. It’s nonsense“, emphasizes Alain Lespiaucq.”I would say that 90% of the work that has been done on Notre Dame, whether it be the stonemasons, the glaziers, the carpenters or the roofers, we would know how to redo the exact same cathedral “.
The model should soon be exhibited in front of the town hall of Paris before doing, like the Compagnons des devoirs, a tour of France.
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