The episcopal city of Meaux forms an exceptionally well preserved historical complex, composed of several historical monuments protected by ancient ramparts and shared between the two owners State/ City. In order to ensure the proper conservation of this complex and improve its development, City and State coordinate for the launch of a restoration program, part of which is entered into the 2021-2027 State-Region Plan Contract for an amount of 1,83 M€ signposted on the restoration and redevelopment of the tour route and the valorisation of the Bossuet museum. A restoration program of the cathedral in progress concerns the entire western facade and takes place in several phases since 2022, from north to south. At the end of April, the Black Tower portion — a wood-framed 15e century — has begun.
Frame of the Black Tower of Saint-Étienne de Meaux Cathedral © Nicolas Thouvenin
The Black Tower of Meaux: a temporary construction for more than five centuries
The western facade of the Saint-Étienne de Meaux cathedral is recognizable among all thanks to the presence of a curious construction covered with chestnut shingles nicknamed "the Black Tower". Rapidly increased to 15e century on the stone base of an unfinished tower, this timber-framed structure was originally designed as a temporary bell tower… that was never replaced by a stone tower.
The history of the construction of the cathedral of Meaux has known many adventures. If the presence of a church and a baptistery in Meaux is attested from the 7the century, the first stone of the Gothic building that is discovered today is laid in the choir around 1185.
The next century saw the construction of the transept and the first two bays of the nave. However, it was not until the end of 16e century to see the completion of the last three bays of the nave and the western facade with its towers.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Meaux © Nicolas Thouvenin
The stone base of the south tower was however started on the 14the century, but in 1358, work was interrupted due to political unrest and a large fire that ravaged the city. Between 1422 and 1439, Meaux was occupied by the English and work was interrupted again. The black tower is erected under the episcopate of Jean-du-Drac between 1459 and 1473 and collects the bells of the Romanesque bell tower that has just been knocked down. In 1540, the bells were installed in the north stone tower that had just been completed. The south tower would remain as it was.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Meaux © Nicolas Thouvenin
The restoration site is a great opportunity to get to know the black tower better
The black tower, topped with slate, retains all its original timber-framed structure and a pavilion roof with a beautiful old framework. At the end of the Middle Ages, the piece of wood was apparent, with cob filling.
It is not known when the walls, doubtless weakened, covered a facing of wood or slate, but all the old representations known, since the 17the century, represents the black tower thus adorned.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Meaux © Nicolas Thouvenin
The restoration project is a great opportunity to get to know the black tower better. The analysis of tool traces and construction marks or the dating of the woods by dendro-chronology will provide valuable information.
The Sainte-Anne portal, nestled under the black tower, the last portal of the western facade, will be restored during the next phase of work.
The restoration project: a new outfit for the black tower
The wood section of the black tower was probably covered with a mixed protective coating of slate and wood from the 17the This roof was restored in 1802 and in the late 1970s, the tower was decorated with new chestnut trees.
Forty years later, the parts most exposed to bad weather suffer from an advanced state of degradation and the tower is placed under a protective net to prevent the fall of elements on the public road. Restoration studies are launched.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Meaux © Nicolas Thouvenin
The structure is generally in good condition, but some sand beams are exposed to rain. The complete replacement of the essentage will make it possible to remedy this, coupled with a resumption of the rainwater system.
Bird guards will be installed to protect the restored structure and prevent birds from entering the building. Inside the tower, the weathered lumber will be replaced and metal reinforcements will be laid to limit deformation and consolidate the structure.
The consultation of the archives confirmed the ancient presence of slate on the elevations: the chestnut shingles covered the vertical parts of the facing while the slate formed a skirt around the sloping parts, more fragile. It is the restoration party that is retained, more durable and consistent with a well-documented historical state.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Meaux © Nicolas Thouvenin
The medieval bays perfectly visible in the photo above correspond to the openings of the old bell tower. They will be enhanced by the restoration.
The stone masonry of the south massif and the coursières will be cleaned, the broken stones replaced, the cement covers purged, the carved elements - gargoyles, cabbage leaves cornices - restored...
Interventions will ensure the removal of water from the massif: sealing, crack treatment, installation of protections, but also the safety: guardrails, circulations. The fire safety system will be completely overhauled and brought into compliance with current standards.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Meaux © Nicolas Thouvenin
Finally, the bat colony of the cathedral will find its habitat after the work thanks to the installation of chiroptières. They will benefit from temporary nest boxes during the construction.
The site: a plurality of know-how at the service of restoration
La DRAC Île-de-France
The cathedral is state-owned and a listed historic monument since 1840. The Ministry of Culture ensures all restoration work through the DRAC Île-de-France, a decentralized service of the Ministry of Culture under the authority of the prefect of the region.
Saint-Étienne Cathedral of Meaux © Nicolas Thouvenin
Within it, the Regional Conservation of Historic Monuments, composed of architects, engineers, technicians and conservators, ensures project management.
The Chief Architect of Historic Monuments (ACMH)
© Nicolas Thouvenin
Michel Trubert and his agency ensure the project management of the operation. After designing the restoration project, he coordinates and supervises its implementation with the construction companies.
The economist, the SPS coordinator and the electrician
An independent economist, the firm Pilte, contributes to the costing of the operation and a health and safety coordinator, BTP Consultants, ensures the good working conditions for all stakeholders. Finally, the Cerelec team takes care of the compliance of the electrical installation and fire safety installations.
The carpenters
The Cruard company carries out structural interventions using traditional wood replacement and assembly techniques.
Roofers
© le Ny roof
The roofers of the company Le Ny perform a nail laying of slate and wood essentage that cover the wood section of the tower.
© : Le Ny and SARL Richard
The chestnut shingles (or tavaillons) are made of wood from sustainable forest management, split at the separator, an unsharped straight iron, not sawn, to limit deformations in the face of bad weather.
The masons and stonemasons
Saint-Étienne Cathedral was built from local limestone extracted from the former quarries of Varreddes and Isles-les-Meldeuses. Its finesse of the stone makes it very fragile.
Stonemason © Léon Noël
The facings are first cleaned and cleared of microorganisms by the company Léon Noël. Some blocks are then patched, or even replaced, and the stonecutters try to resculpt the missing parts of the ornate friezes and gargoyles.
The ironworkers welders
ironworker© Picard Dubosq
The company Picard Duboscq supports metalwork and locksmithing. In addition to the railings, it restores the cross summit of the tower.
Caption header image "Saint-Étienne de Meaux Cathedral" © Nicolas Thouvenin
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