La conservation de la pierre monumentale en France

Abstract

This is the second title of the collection Conservation du Patrimoine coedited by CNRS-Editions and the Research and Technology task force of the Ministere de la Culture. This text deals with the conservation of stone monuments in France and presents an update of research on deterioration of stone and its mechanisms as well as methods and products available for a better and longer-lasting protection of the cultural heritage. It offers a multidisciplinary approach with more than 20 authors involved including restorers, conservators, and architects. The work is divided into four parts: 1) a review of stone as a material with petrography and geology basic notions; 2) an update on stone deterioration and its mechanisms; 3) a review on methods, products, and techniques used for cleaning, consolidation, and protection of stone; and finally, 4) the main section presenting concrete examples of restoration. Depicts restorations carried out in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Duc and his successors and evaluates the progress that has taken place since then. These examples illustrate cleaning, consolidation, and restoration processes from the most traditional to the more recent ones and their specific applications, the impact of the environment of the monuments, and the architectural views of those in charge of the cultural heritage. The cases of buildings such as the Château de Gaillon, the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris are presented as well as some religious buildings such as Saint-Trophime in Arles, the cathedrals Notre-Dame la Grande in Poitiers, Notre-Dame in Paris, Bourges, Reims, Saint-Denis, the Cloister of Elne, the Abbey of Moissac, but also statuary kept in museums as well as many other monuments.