Until 22 September, you can see the chandeliers from the Notre-Dame de Paris being restored in the workshops of Mathieu Lustrerie in the Luberon.
A unique exhibition
One of the great treasures of the craft industry in Vaucluse, Mathieu Lustrerie, whose workshops are based in a former ochre factory in the Luberon, has been entrusted with the restoration of the chandeliers in Notre-Dame de Paris.
Now that the restoration work is almost complete, the company is offering the public the chance to see the chandeliers that have been restored or that are in the process of being restored, before they are reinstalled in the cathedral in the autumn.
The 13 chandeliers in the nave, 2 candelabras in the choir, the crown of light in the chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs, the 60 branches of light and the sanctuary lamp that illuminates Notre-Dame, will need over six months to be restored to their former glory.
Through this exhibition, certified “Towards the Reopening” – a label that brings together cultural events dedicated to Notre-Dame in the run-up to its reopening in December 2024, Mathieu Lustrerie highlights the various trades involved in the manufacture of chandeliers, many of them little-known to the general public: bronze fitters, polishers, chiselers, varnishers, gilders…
Nearly 30 “Compagnons du Devoir” craftspeople contributed their unique expertise to the restoration of these historic works.
Mathieu Lustrerie
This exhibition fits in with the complete tour of the chandelier workshops: over 4000m² dedicated to lighting, with a collection of over 1000 chandeliers from all eras.
All this on a site that’s well worth the detour in itself: in the foothills of the Monts de Vaucluse, in Gargas, the factory was built on the ruins of an ochre factory and its former 19th-century settling ponds. Through the large windows of the red buildings, you can see the manufacturing and repair workshops and the craftsmen at work, as well as the immense collection of chandeliers owned by Régis Mathieu, who has been running this company, labelled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) for 30 years.
Visiting the manufacture
It’s an idea that Régis Mathieu is particularly keen on: sharing this place with visitors, whether from the village or from faraway places.
Visitors are free to tour the factory during the week (until Friday noon), scanning QR codes to access audio content. You can then choose from the following itineraries:
– the ochre site, an outdoor promenade ideal for a family outing
– the history of chandeliers and their trade
– chandeliers through the museum’s collection, their history, their era, anecdotes…
An audio tour for children is also available.
Guided tours (€10/person) can be booked on weekends in July, and from Wednesday to Sunday in August.
Good to know
The Palais de Versailles, the Opéra Garnier, the Villa Kérylos, the Palais de l’Elysée… are just some of the illustrious customers of Mathieu Lustrerie
Visitor information
Mathieu Lustrerie
432 route de Croagnes
Hameau des Sauvans
84400 Gargas
T. +33 (0)4 90 74 92 40
france@mathieulustrerie.com
Open
From Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 am – 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
On Friday : 9:00 am to 12:00 am
Saturday and sunday in July and August
Press Contact:
Accord Tonique, Véronique Dahan
T. +33 (0)6 15 07 90 17
vdahan@accord-tonique.com
©Lustrerie-Mathieu ©V-Gillet ©M-Ripert