Carving Paris: how limestone built this city

Stonemason Grégory Philippe illuminates the important role that limestone continues to play in Paris.

Bonjour everyone,

This week on the podcast we are discussing the art of stonemasonry with Grégory Philippe (find his Paris workshop here). As ancient as this profession may be, it holds an important place in the modern world, too. You need look no further than the titanic restoration project of Notre Dame to understand its lasting importance.

The podcast episode

In the first part of the episode, you’ll hear Grégory demystify the world of stonemasonry and celebrate limestone, the most important stone in the city of Paris. And, of course, being in the presence of a stone expert, I couldn’t resist asking about the 800-year-old Philippe Auguste wall.

At the end of the episode, Marie Segura from My Private Paris is in the studio discussing how best to visit her favourite Paris flea market at Saint-Ouen. A place where you might pick up your own unique sculpted stone, perhaps...

Listen below, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find the episode on iTunes or Spotify or via my website here.

A chip off the block

Grégory is a tailleur de pierre (aka stonemason) working in one of my favourite streets in the Marais - Rue du Prévôt. In fact, we first met during one of my Marais walking tours and recorded the podcast inside his beautiful workshop.

Grégory highlighted the importance of limestone in the city of Paris, explaining that it makes up around 95% of the stone in the city. And, yes, the same limestone that makes up Notre Dame is the same that you can see, and touch, elsewhere in Paris.

The setting of his atelier is really atmospheric, one of the oldest streets in the neighbourhood, and Grégory is working with the local town hall to develop the street to be a hub for other ancient trades.

“It’s possible to make something really authentic here, because the street is authentic. That’s what people want to see, to feel,” he said on the podcast.

Not only does Grégory work as a contractor on assorted projects, but he also offers workshops for beginners. Over the course of two hours, Gregory introduces you to limestone, also known as pierre de Paris. After an initial presentation of the tools and techniques of the trade, you then work on crafting your own bas-relief. If the idea of this type of activity intimidates you, Grégory has some encouraging words for you.

“Follow the steps - you draw and then you begin to carve. It’s not complicated. Everyone succeeds.”

Honestly, the most challenging part is trying to figure out how to fit your carved stone into your luggage allowance to bring home.

Anyhow, take a listen to the pod and keep your eyes peeled for the YouTube video of our chat, coming soon. And if you want to find Grégory’s studio and book one of his stone-carving sessions, you can find it in the heart of the Marais or online here. Address: 12 Rue du Prévôt, 75004

Meanwhile, this season of The Earful Tower is brought to you by My Private Paris, which is an award-winning travel company creating deluxe itineraries for Paris and beyond. See what they offer here and be sure to let them know that you came from The Earful Tower.

Enjoying what we’re doing here at The Earful Tower and keen to see more? Become a Patreon member here, or a Substack member on the links below, to support it and to discover our exciting extras.

(And finally, pictured below, the largest chunk of the famed Philippe Auguste wall, which is just around the corner from Grégory’s atelier).

Have a lovely week, Oliver