Carpenters are repairing the destroyed roof of Notre-Dame using medieval techniques

Paris - If it were possible to travel back in time, medieval carpenters would undoubtedly marvel at how today’s roof repair of Notre-Dame Cathedral utilizes woodworking techniques that were established more than 800 years ago during the construction of this monument. The Associated Press reported on the reconstruction of the world-famous architectural and religious site in the heart of Paris, which was damaged by fire.

The same can certainly be said for modern carpenters who utilize skills from the medieval period. Working with axes to manufacture hundreds of tons of oak beams for the new roof of Notre-Dame is like a journey back in time for them. This experience has made them appreciate the ingenuity of their predecessors, who pushed the boundaries of architecture in the 13th century.

"Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming,” said carpenter Peter Henrikson. When he hammers a chisel with a mallet, he sometimes finds himself thinking of his medieval counterparts who carved "essentially the same joint” 900 years ago. "It’s fascinating. We probably think about the same things in some ways,” he added.

Using hand tools to restore the roof, which flames turned to ashes in 2019, is a deliberate, thoughtful choice. Electric tools would undoubtedly speed up the work. However, the goal is to pay tribute to the extraordinary craftsmanship of the original builders of the cathedral and to ensure that the centuries-old art of handcrafting wood continues to live on.

"We want to restore this cathedral as it was built in the Middle Ages,” said retired General Jean-Louis Georgelin, who is overseeing the reconstruction. "It is a way to stay true to the (handwork) of all the people who built all the extraordinary monuments in France,” he added.

Due to the tight deadline for completing the work - the cathedral is set to reopen in December 2024 - carpenters and architects are also using computer-aided design and other modern technologies to expedite the reconstruction. Computers have been used to create detailed carpentry plans to ensure that their handmade beams fit together precisely.

"Traditional carpenters had a lot in their heads,” Henrikson noted. It is "quite amazing when we realize how they managed with what they had, with the tools and technologies available to them at the time,” he added. The 61-year-old American hails from Grand Marais, Minnesota. Most of the other craftsmen working on the wooden structure are French.

The roof reconstruction reached a significant milestone in May, when large sections of the new wooden structure were assembled and constructed in a workshop in the Loire Valley in western France. This dry run assured the architects that the framework is fit for purpose. Next, it will be assembled on top of the cathedral. Unlike in medieval times, it will be transported to Paris by truck and lifted into place by a mechanical crane. Approximately 1,200 trees were felled for the work.

"Our goal was to restore the wooden framework that vanished in the fire on April 15, 2019,” said architect Rémi Fromont, who developed detailed drawings of the original framework.

The restored framework is "the same wooden structure as that from the 13th century.” “We have exactly the same material: oak. We have the same tools, including the same axes that were used. We have the same know-how. And soon (the cathedral) will return to its original form. It’s a real resurrection,” he added.