When the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was ravaged by fire in 2019, the world watched in heartbreak as a centuries-old icon faced ruin. For master blacksmith Mathieu Colette, however, the tragedy sparked a rare and extraordinary mission: to wield his craft in restoring a piece of history to its former glory.
Colette, founder of Les Forge De Montreal, played a pivotal role in the rebirth of the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Using centuries-old techniques, he forged 60 specialized axes that were key to the timber framers tasked with reconstructing the iconic wooden roof.
“I’ve been preserving the intangible knowledge of traditional blacksmithing for over three decades,” Colette shared in an interview with Yahoo News Canada. “It’s not just about making tools; it’s about connecting with a history that predates industrialization.”
Race against time to rebuild iconic structure: ‘It was a marathon’
When French President Emmanuel Macron promised the cathedral’s reconstruction would be completed within five years, Colette says over 2,000 artisans from across France were called upon to meet the ambitious timeline. Colette and eight other blacksmiths were tasked with forging 60 historically accurate axes in just four months.
Photos of the axes Mathieu Colette was contracted to make for Notre Dame’s restoration. (Image courtesy: Mathieu Colette)
“The timber framers needed these axes to begin their work,” Colette said. “Without them, the entire timeline would have fallen apart.”
Colette states one key aspect to the Notre Dame’s reconstruction was to reput every element exactly as it was previously built, using the same techniques and tools utilized at the time of initial construction to ensure precision.
It was a marathon of craftsmanship.Master blacksmith Mathieu Colette
“The building is like a book for those who can read it,” Colette shared. “Every mark on every stone has been made by an artisan with his tool. You could read what was the shape of the sharp part of the tools and what was the position of that artisan when he worked on that stone.”
Having worked as an apprentice in France during the 90s, Colette says he’s had the privilege of immersing himself in the timeless beauty of Notre Dame more than a dozen times and often compares its majestic buttresses to the world’s greatest architectural wonders, like the pyramids of Giza.
Colette also revealed an inside detail about the restoration: the cathedral’s grand front doors were among the final elements to be revived. In a fascinating turn of events, a blacksmith had to be urgently enlisted to reconstruct the 800-year-old hinges, ensuring that this iconic feature could once again swing open to the world.
“He had so short time to do the job that he had to make a deal with the devil to do so,” said Colette. When it came to forging his 60 axes, he joked “I didn’t do any deal with the devil.”
Despite criticism Macron faced over his promise to reconstruct the cathedral in five years, Colette says “We made the impossible, possible.”
‘The roots of our history are being forgotten’: Carrying the craft into an uncertain future
Beyond technical challenges, Colette views his purpose as part of a bigger mission to preserve cultural heritage and pass traditional knowledge to future generations.
“We live in a time where technology is advancing rapidly, yet the roots of our history are being forgotten,” he said. “It’s crucial to invest in the youth, to teach them about the crafts and traditions that shaped our world.”
Montreal master blacksmith Mathieu Colette shares that passing down knowledge to a younger generation is key to keeping a dying craft alive. (Image supplied by Mathieu Colette)
For Colette, the restoration of Notre-Dame is more than just a success story — it’s a spark of hope. “This project shows what humanity can achieve when we work together. It’s a reminder of our resilience, our creativity, and our shared history.”
As the world admires the newly-reborn Notre-Dame, Colette hopes the incredible journey of its restoration will ignite a deeper appreciation for the artisans and time-honored traditions that preserve our shared history.
“This is more than a building; it’s a symbol of love, peace, and the enduring power of human hands.”