For six generations, craftsman Jean Bataille has carried on his family's tradition of ornamental painting and decoration, working on everything from war memorials to vintage vehicles, from house gables to religious heritage sites. His latest project has brought new life to the names of seven fallen soldiers from World War I in the village of Bonnetan, located east of Bordeaux.

The names Robert Bedo, Marc and Marcel Blanc, Frédéric Fayaut, Jean Friot, Antoine Mandouce, and Augustin Récapet now shine brightly once again on the village's war memorial. These seven men died for France during the 1914-1918 war, and their memory will be honored during the November 11th commemoration ceremony. After a stonemason restored the slender monument, Bataille was called in to repaint the historic lettering.

"They asked me for yellow, while the usual practice is more toward burgundy red, black, or charcoal gray," explains Jean Bataille, the artisan who painted these letters of history. The choice of color reflects the specific requirements of this particular memorial restoration, demonstrating how each project brings its own unique challenges and specifications.

Bataille's workshop is located just a few kilometers away, at the back of a lot on a quiet street in Pompignac. The space is filled with workbenches, panels, plaques, strips of wood, moldings, paint, and brushes. This has been Jean Bataille's creative sanctuary for more than twenty years, ever since his brothers Bernard and Michel retired from the family business.

All three brothers had followed in their father's footsteps, who had learned the traditional craft techniques that have been passed down through the generations. The workshop represents not just a workplace, but a living museum of traditional French craftsmanship, where ancient techniques continue to be practiced and preserved in an increasingly modern world.

This restoration work is part of a broader effort to preserve France's cultural heritage. Similar restoration projects have been taking place throughout the Gironde region, including work in the Saint-Michel chapel in Mazères, where restoration efforts have restored the brilliance of decorative work signed by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and his disciple, Edmond Duthoit.

The art of letter painting represents one of France's most specialized and endangered crafts, requiring not only artistic skill but also deep knowledge of historical techniques, materials, and cultural significance. As communities throughout France work to preserve their monuments and heritage sites, craftsmen like Jean Bataille play a crucial role in maintaining the connection between past and present, ensuring that the memory of those who came before continues to be honored with the same care and precision that has characterized this family trade for six generations.