HandicraftHistory

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History

A long lineage of passionate craftsmen

Since the beginning, the following generations have shared an enterprising mind among essential values at the Atelier. Protecting transmission and perpetuating that just unique art craft has been the primary motivation of those successive inheritors. 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

Over 800,000 Euro have been invested into an ambitious programme. It consists in increasing the surface of the current visiting tour, so as to allow both the craftsmen’s activities and future creative projects to be shown. 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

Reconnaissance du métier lié à la pétrification

Le titre de Maître Artisan en Pétrification

En 2014, Éric Papon obtient le titre de Maître Artisan en Pétrification. Il s'agit d'une reconnaissance de son savoir-faire et des gestes artisanaux perpétués depuis 7 générations. Ce titre reconnait également son implication dans la valorisation de ce savoir-faire unique au monde.

2009

Reconnaissance du savoir-faire de la pétrification

State label EPV

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

Refonte architecturale du site de visite

Éric Papon entreprend d'importants travaux aux Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire. Le plan d'investissement d'1M€ permet de répondre aux besoins de l’activité de production artisanale en pleine mutation et aux exigences liées à l’accueil du public. Le visiteur découvre les secrets de la fabrication au sein même des ateliers. Le parcours ludique et pédagogique permet d'aborder les différents aspects de ce métier d'art. Le visiteur découvre l'origine géologique des sources, le phénomène physico-chimique de pétrification et les étapes de création des objets en calcaire.

1998

Eric Papon

Stratégie d'innovation

Après plusieurs années passées aux côtés de son père, Éric Papon devient gérant. Il élabore une nouvelle stratégie de développement pour moderniser le produit. Il décide de revenir aux fondamentaux de la pétrification basés sur la recherche et le développement de techniques. Éric Papon fait évoluer les créations par l’usage de nouveaux matériaux de moulage et la mise au point de nouveaux process.

1960

Site de visite incontournable à Saint-Nectaire

Modernisation de l’outil

Edmond-Michel Papon prend la gérance des Fontaines Pétrifiantes de Saint-Nectaire. Il modernise la technique de moulage. Edmond-Michel Papon introduit l'usage du silicone aux côtés de la gutta-percha dans la technique de moulage. Il transforme l’entreprise en site touristique en engageant une refonte complète des lieux. Les Fontaines Pétrifiantes deviennent la visite incontournable à Saint-Nectaire.

1922

Visite d'entreprise, visite des ateliers de fabrication

Opening the fabric to the public

Leon Papon makes the most of the expanding balneology. He opens the Atelier to the people taking the waters in the area. He is a precursor as regards business tourism.

Fontaines Pétrifiantes at Clermont-Ferrand

Leon buys over the petrification site in Clermont-Ferrand. 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 their production 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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