Carrières du Hainaut helps safeguard history 


On 15 April 2019, the world watched in horror as a devastating fire blazed through the roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Thanks to over 400 courageous firefighters, the worst of the damage was restricted to the cathedral’s roof and spire, though the heat, smoke and falling debris also damaged parts of the interior. That evening, after the fire had been contained, President Emmanuel Macron vowed that Notre-Dame would be restored, saying, “I’m telling you tonight, we will rebuild this cathedral together.” 
 

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Damage from fire at Notre Dame
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Restoring the Parisian landmark to its former glory was a feat easier said than done. The cathedral's floor, with its distinctive chequerboard pattern of French cream-coloured stone and Belgian bluestone, required matching materials that were over a century old. Fortunately, the quarry team at Carrières du Hainaut was up to the task. For more than 135 years, Carrières du Hainaut has been extracting this unique and authentic stone from the Belgian soil. Its incomparable quality has earned it worldwide acclaim. By encouraging its teams’ skills and knowledge, and constantly improving their tooling, the company has become Europe’s largest ornamental limestone quarry.

According to Carrières du Hainaut CEO, Chris Vermorken, the original Belgium bluestone used in Notre-Dame's marble floor was probably sourced from this very quarry, making it a natural choice to supply the stone for the restoration. Nonetheless, matching materials from a century ago was still a challenge.

“The most difficult part was finding bluestone from the exact same bench as the original stones installed 100 years ago,” explained Commercial Director John Fizz. 

To ensure the chequerboard floor of Notre-Dame was restored as close to the original as possible, the team at Carrières du Hainaut supplied custom-cut 64 x 64 cm slabs and artificially aged them to match the original tiles. “Everything was placed manually, then repolished so that the old and new stones blend seamlessly, ensuring a harmonious look,” recalls Operations Director Benoît Hanolz. 

“It's been a great honour to be part of such a significant restoration,” added Vermorken.

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Penn Station restoration and expansion

Notre-Dame is not the only historic restoration Carrières du Hainaut has been involved in recently. Across the Pond, preparations are being made to restore Penn Station and expand the Madison Square district in New York City. While spades are not set to hit the ground until 2027, Carrières du Hainaut has already provided 25,000 square metres of Belgian bluestone paving slabs, making it the largest project the quarry has ever supported.  

“The most difficult part was finding the exact materials the architect requested,” Fizz explained. “Our stone contains natural wide veins and fossils, so extracting the right blocks for the architect's requirements was especially tricky.” 


Preserving history through partnership

Both projects relied on Caterpillar heavy machinery, employed at the quarry for over 50 years. These machines extract, transport and process the bluestone, from massive loaders handling 40-tonne blocks on inclined planes to advanced machinery enabling precise cutting.  

“Only Caterpillar machines can work at our quarry front, cut to size and handle our blocks effectively,” notes Hanolz. “The positioning of their hydraulic cylinders enables them to work on inclined planes in ways the competition cannot match.” 

Belgian bluestone's durability and colour spectrum has made it a staple of European construction for centuries. “You see it everywhere, in window sills, wall cladding, historical monuments and public squares,” explained Vermorken. “Its timeless nature makes it a must-have on the building market.” 

“When we sell bluestone from Carrières du Hainaut, we're selling an entire history,” added Hanolz. “Thanks to the human eye and skilled hand, this stone can then be transformed into objects of beauty.” 

These projects stand as testaments to both tradition and innovation, demonstrating that the best solutions blend old-world craftsmanship with modern technology and international collaboration. For the team at Carrières du Hainaut, the work represents far more than commercial achievement; it embodies centuries-old traditions, an unwavering commitment to quality and proof that beauty endures when built on solid foundations. 

 



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