In 2001, the chapel’s thatched roof was restored with the involvement of the federation of traditional building crafts. The project was carried out by the Vercors Regional Nature Park as part of its policy to promote rural heritage buildings. This restoration was intended to showcase traditional roofing methods used before scale-shaped tiles became compulsory to combat devastating fires such as the one that struck the hamlet of Les Hoches in Chichilianne in 1900.
Before the chapel renovation @ Lionel Laurent
In 2016, Trézanne Chapel was given a new lease of life through an initiative by the Saint Martin de Clelles town council. The work was carried out using the Limousin technique (using lime mortar for insulation) by the company “Art et Tradition du Chaume”, run by Armand Klavun. The old thatch was replaced with longer, carefully sorted bundles of rye straw. The craftspeople completed the work on 20 May after 5 weeks of sunshine, rain and snow. If you come to Trézanne, take the time to visit the chapel and ring its bell, letting its sound mingle with the bells of the hamlet’s sheep and goats.
Removing the chapel’s old roof @ Lionel Laurent
Bundles of straw @ Lionel Laurent
Laying the first bundles of straw @ Lionel Laurent
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Working with draught horses @ Lionel Laurent
Laying the next bundles of straw @ Lionel Laurent
Work on 27 April 2016 @ Lionel Laurent
Renovation progress @ Lionel Laurent
The renovation site @ Lionel Laurent
Renovating the chapel @ Lionel Laurent
The final days of renovation @ Lionel Laurent
Completion of the chapel renovation @ Lionel Laurent
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Photos and text © Lionel Laurent
