Stone cutting, sculpture, traditional masonry and excellent training in the heart of Berry: FOREPABE

Minh-Son Nguyen
Sep 2, 2024
1 min read

“ Created in March 2001 FOREPABE is a training center (Association loi 1901), located in a rural area, specializing in stone trades and the restoration of architectural heritage.”

This is what is now housed in the former slaughterhouses of La Châtre, with a neoclassical architecture from the mid-19th century designed by André Bisson and then Charles André, known as Simon, not without recalling the spirit of Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. The two semi-spherical niches in Montgivray stone on either side of the entrance portico seem, a true demonstration of stereotomic mastery through their refined but complex geometry to achieve, to make a nod to the current purpose of the building.

On the eve of the start of the school year, the site director, Audrey Lenne, welcomed us to FOREPABE for a meeting and tour of the establishment, located around ten minutes from the Château de Sainte-Sévère .

Marked and captivated by the beauty of this place, we returned to immortalize this very special atmosphere where many students have the privilege of training and perfecting an exceptional art: here is an extract from the report.