Robin da Silva, a 35-year-old sculptor and winner of the prestigious "Best Craftsman of France" award in 2023, has been actively engaging with the public to share his stone carving expertise and inspire the next generation of artisans. Based in Gisors, Eure, in the Normandy region, da Silva recently captivated audiences during the 2025 European Heritage Days at Gisors Castle Park, where his sculptor and stone carver booth remained busy throughout the event.

Established in Gisors for two years, da Silva's workshop serves as a creative hub where tradition meets passion. His company, Atelier RTS Sculpture, serves both private clients and public institutions, working on projects ranging from intimate busts to monumental statues over three meters tall. The sculptor has built a strong reputation in the Vexin region while also completing international projects, including fountains in Dubai.

Da Silva's work centers around two main techniques: stamping, which involves creating molds directly on building facades to produce reproductions, and direct modeling, where pieces are first conceived in clay before being molded in plaster and then carved in stone. For his creations, he uses a soft stone called "faune maxima fine," extracted from the Oise region. "My requirement to do everything by hand is also my guarantee of quality, because for me, a manual craft must remain manual, otherwise it loses all its meaning," da Silva explained.

The master craftsman has left his mark on significant local heritage sites, including work on the Vaux Farm Manor, the collegiate church of Les Andelys, and Pablo Picasso's castle in Gisors. His dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship while pursuing ambitious projects demonstrates his commitment to keeping this ancient art form alive in the modern era.

Beyond his artistic achievements, da Silva has a clear mission: passing on his expertise to future generations. He has already welcomed one apprentice and aspires to train more young people in this traditional craft. "I hope in a few years to be able to hire one or two apprentices and two or three workers to share my passion. Too few young people know about this profession, and I want to do my best to inspire young people to discover this craft and share my manual expertise to keep the tradition of the profession alive," he stated.

The Gisors Castle itself holds fascinating historical treasures that complement da Silva's preservation efforts. While legends persist about Templar treasures possibly hidden in Gisors, the castle's true treasure lies in its graffiti, particularly those in the Prisoner's Tower, which have been designated as a Treasure of Norman Vexin. These are not modern spray-painted graffiti but rather engravings of varying depths, some so pronounced they are considered bas-reliefs.

In the dungeon of the Prisoner's Tower, sunlight streaming through four narrow openings reveals dozens of scenes, many of religious nature. "Legend says that only one prisoner was locked up here and he would have removed the only nail from the door. With this nail, he would have made all the graffiti," narrated Anne Puech d'Alissac, deputy mayor in charge of Heritage. The identity of this mysterious prisoner has intrigued people for hundreds of years.

Historians speculate about three possible origins for these graffiti: religious or secular individuals seeking spiritual elevation, sculptors who worked on the Gisors church, or actual prisoners. Some graffiti provide historical clues, with certain pieces dating to the 16th century, including a scene with Native Americans from 1550 representing a spectacle offered to King Henry II during his arrival in Rouen.

The tower's fame was further enhanced by Victor Hugo's visit, during which he inscribed his name on a stone. A drawing he created of these graffiti, titled "Tower of Gisors - Drawing of prisoners," is housed in a Paris museum, complete with his signature on the wall. The Prisoner's Tower is now open to the public, offering visitors a 360-degree view of the region's history and the castle's significance.

Da Silva's weekend demonstration at Gisors Castle perfectly embodied his commitment to transmission and education. His workshop, located at 17 rue du Calvaire in Gisors, continues to serve as a beacon for traditional craftsmanship in an increasingly mechanized world. Through his dedication to hand-carved artistry and his passion for teaching, da Silva ensures that the ancient art of stone sculpture will continue to flourish for generations to come.