Chalon-sur-Saône (Saône-et-Loire). Polychrome decorations, basketwork patterns, refined interlacing…, it is a brilliant interior with a myriad of colors that reappears. At the end of meticulous cleaning and restoration work, the Chalon-sur-Saône cathedral reopens revealing its original medieval decoration.
Traces of polychromy had already been revealed twenty years ago. During the first campaigns carried out, between 1991 and 2007, to restore the exterior and stabilize the facade, the operations were pushed to the first bays of the nave where latex was applied to remove impurities from the stones. “We were then surprised to discover polychromy on the ribs of the vaults, remembers the architect Frédéric Didier (2BDM Architectes), project manager of the site. But at the time, interior restoration was not the main objective of the project. The elements found had been respected and highlighted, but we had not gone any further. »
The cleaning of the cathedral enclosure will finally be launched in spring 2024, in addition to the repair of the fire safety system and the bringing the electricity up to standard. The operation is large-scale, the last interior restoration dating back to 1867. “We thought that the work carried out in the 18th centurye century had been drastic, that practically nothing would be found except a few small fragments. However, we finally discovered the entire system of medieval polychromy of the cathedral. explains Frédéric Didier. Scalpel in hand, the restorers gradually cleared the later whitewash to reach the medieval layer, first at the level of the nave and its aisles then the transept and the choir. A Gothic decor in ocher, red and pastel tones is then revealed, undoubtedly dating from the end of the 13th century, designed to perfectly highlight the architecture. “It’s the only polychrome cathedral in Burgundy! This polychromy is rare; other buildings, on the contrary, adopted a monochrome approach at the same time. » Another surprise from the site: the revelation of the details of the Romanesque capitals, sculpted in the 12th century, which once cleaned revealed inclusions in the pupils of the characters.
Scrolls of arabesques and historic paintings
Although the cathedral is once again open for worship and visits, the construction site is not yet finished. It is now the turn of the spaces near the choir to be restored: the sacristy, the chapter house as well as three chapels. “In the north chapel, we made other discoveries: scrolls of arabesques on the vaults, historic paintings from the 16the century that we are in the process of clearing, cleaning and restoring, explains the architect. We are also carrying out excavations in the choir, which have revealed vestiges of the Roman apse and the Gallo-Roman rampart, visible from the outside. It is therefore the knowledge of the entire cathedral which is completely renewed. » Work to improve accessibility will also be undertaken, before the final stage planned for 2027 to restore the side chapels to the nave and redevelop the square.
On the budget side, the envelope remained stable although the site had its share of unforeseen events. “There has been no overrun, we are within costs and deadlines for the moment,” confirms Frédéric Didier. The total cost of the work is estimated at 5 million euros, financed by the City (which is responsible for project management), the Department, the Region, the State and Europe.
