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History

The history of the Handicraft of Petrification

Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire : a lineage of 7 passionate craftsmen ; 200-year family story

The history of petrification starts with Leonardo de Vegni, in Italy. In 1821, Jean Serre founds the Fontaines Pétrifiantes of Saint-Nectaire. In that family atelier, volcanic springs get used to create decorative items out of calcium. 2 centuries later, Eric Papon, Master Craftsman in Petrification, manages his ancestor’s atelier.

From Jean Serre a tireless searcher, on to nowadays Eric Papon a visionary craftsman, including Michel a well-informed investor, Leon an ambitious contractor, Roger-Hyacinthe a wise administrator and Edmond-Michel a modern builder, the family have remained involved, succeeding in combining tradition with modernity. The evolution of the making processes, the constant development of creative projects and the architectural adaptations of the visiting site have allowed the Atelier to keep its attraction and to ensure the essential transmissions.

2022

Invest in regards business tourism

Extension work of the Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire

An ambitious project worth 800,000 Euro is launched to enlarge the visiting circuit with 2-levels sloping premises. That extension allows the display of the craftsman's activities and creation to come.
That programme fits in with the craftsmen’s will to share even more with the yearly 70,000 visitors.
The environment policy of the Atelier, which has already led to the geothermal heating of the premises with the hot springs, will be completed with solar resources to reach total energy autonomy.

2014

Official recognition of that petrification-related craft

The title of Master Craftsman in Petrification

In 2014, Eric Papon obtains the title of Master Craftsman in Petrification. His know-how as well as the ancestral gestures handed over 7 generations are then acknowledged. That title also establishes his commitment to valorize the unique-of-its-kind know-how.

2009

Official recognition of the petrification craftsmanship

State label Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant

The Atelier is awarded the state label EPV - Living Heritage - by the French government in 2009. It's a distinction honoring French firms holding an exceptional handicraft and industrial know-how. The state label EPV - Living Heritage - was renewed in 2014 and 2019.

2007

Evolution of the building Fontaines Pétrifiantes

Architectural overhaul of the visiting site

Eric Papon starts making serious renovation work at the Fontaines Petrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire. He invests 1M € to meet the needs if the changing craft production and the visitors' reception conditions. Visitors discover the making secrets within the workshops. That original and educational visit enables the presentation of all aspects of the craftsmanship: the geological origin of the springs, the physical-chemical phenomenon of petrification and the creation process of the calcium items.

1998

Eric Papon, managing director of the firm Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire

Innovation strategy

Eric Papon becomes managing director after having learnt from his father for many years. He sets up a new development strategy to modernize the products. He decides on returning to the fundamentals of petrification based on research and technical development. Eric Papon diversifies the creations by using new moulding materials and setting up new processes.

1960

Major site to visit in Saint-Nectaire

Modernizing the tool

Edmond-Michel Papon takes over the management of the Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire. He modernizes the moulding technique. Edmond-Michel Papon starts using silicon together with gutta-percha to make the mould. He turns the atelier into a visiting site by transforming the place completely. The Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire becomes the main attraction to visit in Saint-Nectaire.

1922

Visit the firm, visit the making workshops

Opening the fabric to the public

Leon Papon makes the most of the expanding balneology in Saint-Nectaire. He opens the Atelier to the people taking the waters in the area "Massif du Sancy". He is a precursor as regards business tourism.

Fontaines Pétrifiantes at Clermont-Ferrand

Leon buys over the petrification site in Clermont-Ferrand: the Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Alyre. He devotes it to the crystallization of items whereas he uses the Saint-Nectaire site exclusively for encrustations on moulds. The Clermont-Ferrand site will close up in 2000.

1869

A family business

The modern petrification

Michel Papon learns from Jean Serre the making secrets. He marries Madeleine, Jean Serre’s daughter. In 1869 Michel inherits the Atelier. He ays the foundations of modern petrification by investing in the equipment.

Selling the production in France

Michel Papon and his son Leon sell the petrifying objects on the French Riviera. Their purchasers are the owners of Grotte de Monte-Carlo, Grotte Saint-André and Grottes du Saut-du-Loup.
The Grottes de Bétharram, Caves Gouttières de Savonnières and Gouffre de Padirac will be supplied....

1821

Jean Serre in France : les Fontaines Pétrifiantes

Establishment of the Atelier

Jean Serre takes with his father, Gilbert, an active interest in the petrification process, especially in the technique of encrustation on moulds. In Saint-Nectaire he starts digging into the granite and harnesses the thermomineral calcium-rich springs. He invents an ingenious waterfall system, the Petrifying Fountains.

1760

Leonardo De Vegni in Bagni San Filippo : Plastica dei Tartari

Italian curiosity

The history of petrification takes root in Bagni San Filippo. This Tuscan village has similar geological features to those of Saint-Nectaire. Leonardo De Vegni, an Italian inventor and architect, creates the first fabric of Plastica dei Tartari or encrustations on moulds. Jean Serre will draw his inspiration from that technique to turn calcium into an artistic purpose. In Italy that production will be stopped in the 19th century.

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