Carrières du Hainaut Restores History


On April 15, 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 contained to the cathedral’s roof and spire, though the heat, smoke and falling debris also damaged portions 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 checkerboard pattern of French cream-colored 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 ground. Its incomparable quality has earned it worldwide acclaim. By encouraging their teams’ skills and knowledge and constantly improving their tools, 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 likely originally sourced from their same quarry, making it a natural choice to supply stone for the restoration, but 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 before," explained Commercial Director John Fizz. 

To ensure the checkerboard 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 that had been artificially aged to match the original tiles. "Everything was placed manually, then repolished so old and new stones blend seamlessly," recalls Operations Director Benoît Hanolz. "This created perfect harmony in the construction."  

“It's been a great honor to participate in 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 supported recently. Across the Atlantic, preparations are being made to restore Penn Station and expand the Madison Square district in New York City. While construction itself is expected to begin in 2027, Carrières du Hainaut has already provided 25,000 square meters of Belgian bluestone pavers for the project, making it the largest project the quarry has ever supported.  

"The most difficult part was finding the exact materials the architect requested,” Fizz explained. “We have natural wide veins and fossils inside our stone, so the architect had exceptional requirements for us to extract the right blocks." 


Preserving History Through Partnership

Both projects relied on Caterpillar heavy machinery and have done so for over 50 years. These machines extract, transport and process bluestone, from massive loaders handling 45-ton blocks on inclined planes to advanced machinery enabling precise cutting.  

"Caterpillar is the only machine that can work at our quarry front, cut size and handle our blocks effectively," notes Hanolz. "The positioning of the hydraulic cylinders allows machines to work on inclined planes in ways competitors cannot match." 

Belgian bluestone's durability and color spectrum has made it a staple in European construction for centuries. "You see it everywhere — in windowsills, wall cladding, historical monuments and public squares," explained Vermorken. "It's a timeless product essential to the building market." 

"When we sell bluestone from Carrières du Hainaut, we're selling an entire history," added Hanolz. "It's the human eye and skilled hand that transforms stone into 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, unwavering quality commitment and proof that beauty endures when built on solid foundations. 

 



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