When the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was severely damaged by fire in 2019, one of the most significant restoration projects of our time was set in motion.
To restore the iconic spire, oak trees of exceptional quality were required—trees that had been planted as early as the 18th century in the royal forest of Bercé, originally intended for shipbuilding for the French navy.
These majestic oaks, knot-free and over 20 meters tall with diameters of up to one meter, were carefully selected to recreate the cathedral’s complex wooden structure.
To process these massive logs, a sawmill capable of handling large dimensions with precision was needed. The task was entrusted to Logosol’s B1001 band sawmill in a special 17-meter version. It was delivered by Logosol’s French distributor Meca-TP and installed at the historic company Le Bras Frères.
Philippe Chanvillard trained the restoration carpenters at Notre-Dame to operate the B1001 band sawmill.
The B1001 band sawmill was extended to 17 meters to handle the massive structural elements for the spire.
Massive, precise beams with the B1001
With the B1001, the massive oak logs could be cut into precise beams for the reconstruction of the cathedral. The sawmill was equipped with Logosol’s most powerful electric motor and an LM410 XL planer to ensure perfect results.
When Philippe Chanvillard of Meca-TP visited Le Bras Frères, he realized he had sold one of the most iconic sawmills in the company’s history.
Before the sawing began, Philippe personally conducted a training session for the carpenters at Le Bras Frères to ensure they could use the sawmill efficiently and achieve the highest-quality cuts.
A Symbol of French tradition
Over 1,000 oaks were carefully selected to create a structure designed to stand for hundreds of years. The trees underwent a natural drying process for 18 months to reach the ideal moisture content before they could be processed.
The project has become a symbol of France’s tradition of timber construction and sustainable forestry.
This type of work places immense demands on both craftsmanship and equipment, and Logosol’s sawmill proved to be a key player in the project.
Thanks to this success, new restoration projects are already being planned, where Logosol’s machines will continue to play an important role. Among them is the restoration of the Notre-Dame de Sénanque Abbey—a testament to how the combination of modern technology and historic craftsmanship can create a lasting legacy.
Logosol’s band sawmill facilitated the sculpting of the massive oak logs.
Nearly 1,000 workers were involved in the project, both on-site and in workshops across France.
By choosing Logosol's sawmills, we could guarantee a perfect result.
