Centre historique de Salers

The development of the old center and the repair of the soil is part of a vast heritage enhancement project in the heart of the village. The challenge of the project was to simplify the reading of the frame and rediscover the rustic treatment of the soil that existed before the arrival of synthetic materials. The project pushed almost to austerity the shape of the coating which disappears in favor of the facades on sunny days, and removes the contrasts on rainy days. The choice of a regional stone (lava from Bouzentès) was made for ecological, heritage reasons, and also for its durability and its qualities of textures and color. The choice of basalt, the omnipresent stone in Salers is part of a site logic; the genius of the place lies in the perfect mastery of geology to build and protect itself; soil repair is therefore a coherent achievement vis-à-vis the place, in total respect with the homogeneity and mineral specificity of the fortified town. The bias was to make the streets as homogeneous as possible, by concealing any traces of networks, delimitation or ruptures. All surfaces are treated with lava stone, including the technical elements. Gray dominates with its rough texture and assumed in this Cantal climate subject to snow and heavy frost. The quality of construction and its durability were ensured by draconian monitoring of the works, especially the laying of paving stones which had to meet very precise specifications in terms of shapes, joints and defects.