The historic Notre-Dame-la-Grande church in Poitiers has entered a groundbreaking second phase of restoration work, using cutting-edge laser technology to reveal the original colors of 11th-century frescoes that had been hidden beneath centuries of pollution and grime. The meticulous restoration process has successfully uncovered the original pigments of these ancient painted decorations, breathing new life into one of France's most significant Romanesque architectural treasures.

The restoration project began in November 2024, but the most challenging and technically advanced phase commenced several months ago when specialists turned their attention to the church's magnificent Romanesque vault and its painted decorations, which date back to the late 11th or early 12th century. This particular phase required extraordinary precision and the use of ultramodern equipment to safely clean the delicate medieval artwork without causing any damage to the original paint layers.

Working at a dizzying height of 13 meters above the church floor, restoration technicians were equipped with specialized protective gear including full-body suits, masks, and safety equipment while perched on scaffolding. The challenging working conditions required not only technical expertise but also physical endurance and careful attention to safety protocols given the precarious nature of working at such heights within the historic structure.

The revolutionary laser cleaning technique proved to be the only viable method for safely removing the accumulated pollution without compromising the integrity of the original frescoes. Thomas Gaudig, the architect in charge of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande renovation project, explained the critical importance of this technological approach: "It was impossible to clean using traditional restoration erasers or the usual scalpels. It was too dangerous. Without ever having to touch the decoration, the laser removed the layer of pollution without damaging the paint layer."

The laser technology has been particularly successful in revealing the original pigments of the frescoes, which had been completely obscured by pollution that had accumulated over several centuries. This breakthrough has allowed art historians and restoration experts to see these medieval masterpieces as they were originally intended to appear, providing invaluable insights into the artistic techniques and color palettes used by medieval craftsmen.

Despite the remarkable success of the laser cleaning process, Gaudig cautioned that the paintings remain "extremely fragile" and require ongoing careful treatment. The current restoration phase is specifically designed to stabilize and permanently fix the decorative elements, ensuring their preservation for future generations while maintaining their newly revealed historical authenticity.

The comprehensive restoration work is expected to continue until 2027, when the church will finally reopen to the public. This extended timeline reflects the painstaking nature of the work required to properly conserve such ancient and delicate artwork while ensuring that modern restoration techniques do not compromise the historical integrity of these irreplaceable cultural artifacts.