The restoration progress of the Bagatelle’s Trianon.

Stages of the Trianon’s restoration

 Glass roofs

The glass roofs’ works represent one of the most significant achievements in the past few months regarding the Trianon's exteriors. Dated from the 19th century, they are distinguished by their modernity, being part of the Second Empire-style stained-glass windows that adorned many buildings of that time. VLD, the company in charge of restoring the Trianon's glass roofs, drew up a plan to recreate the identical glass roofs of the Bagatelle castle. Their primary structure has been preserved. The work on the right-hand glass roof has been completed, while the second glass roof should be completed and installed shortly.

 Mouldings

Mouldings are studied in detail before being repaired. The building's elevation was examined in order to distinguish between the bas-reliefs that needed to be removed for casting, and those that needed to be fully restored to blend harmoniously with previously restored cornices.

For best results, some mouldings are molded on in the workshops of l’Atelier Chevalier, a group of restorers specialists in sculpture restoration and mould creation. The moulding plasters used has the same hues as those used for the Bagatelle castle.

 The coating

In order to preserve the authenticity of the building, the coating and paint were analyzed to find the shade closest to the original. A diagnosis of the coating and paint on the façade revealed the absence of lead in their composition. Also, a sample of the pellicular plaster was compared with one from the Bagatelle castle in order to restore the original color of the façade.

A rigorous restoration project: challenges and next steps

 Some weather-related challenges

Weather conditions must be taken into account in the progress of the building works. For instance, the coating needs to be applied before winter arrives in order to prevent it from freezing. Humidity also affects the restoration work, as it requires a special treatment. The creation of mouldings and bas-reliefs then becomes necessary. In architecture, "modénature" refers to the ornamental treatment of some structural elements of a building's façade, designed to protect it from rainwater runoff, while enhancing its architectural value.

 Objectives for the Next Phases of Restoration

Several restorations still need to be carried out, particularly concerning the treatment of the masonry and balustrades by the company H. Chevalier. Additionally, the carpenters from Ateliers Perrault and Maison Dureau, companies under the Ateliers de France group, are preparing to sand the glass roofs and the shutters of the Trianon. Moreover, there is an upcoming intervention to reinstall the bas-reliefs and consoles, as well as to treat the preserved elements. Not a single element will be painted, so the preserved components must be sufficiently uniform to be harmonized only with a lime wash.

Once the façade is fully restored, interior work on the Bagatelle castle and the Trianon can begin.

© Photos : Bertrand Multrier et Fondation Mansart