Frédéric Matan restores their shine to the pilasters of the most famous square in Montpellier

Frédéric Matan (à g.) devant un des deux pilastres. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Meilleur Ouvrier de France for twenty years, the stonemason Frédéric Matan cut the stone ornaments which were inaugurated this Monday at the very top of the facade of the Gaumont cinema, on the Place de la Comédie.

Stone cutter for 34 years, half of which is self-employed, Frédéric Matan is based in Pouget. But his roots take him back to Montpellier. "My great-grandfather, Émile Matan, was deputy for sport to three mayors, including François Delmas, and he chaired the industrial tribunal. A street is named after him. He would be happy to see that one of his descendants beautifies the city."

Meilleur Ouvrier de France for twenty years, Frédéric has left his signature on numerous listed buildings in the Comédie since 2012: Monoprix, the old post office, the CIC bank. On the Esplanade, he redid all the facades of the Maison des Relations Internationales.

His latest project ? The size of two pilasters intended to adorn the facade of the Pathé Gaumont in the city's most famous square. "This work took us two and a half months, three people, explains the Companion of Duty. With a third stone, we reach 500 kg. The challenge was also to hoist them twenty meters high."

Pilasters are decorative ornaments for buildings from the late 18th century. "The original ones were in very poor condition. We replaced the scrap metal that was inside with fiberglass rods. The color of the stone also echoes that of the facades of the Comédie.

He keeps the flame going

It’s a big year for Frédéric Matan. He is celebrating twenty years of Best Worker in France, a competition which itself is celebrating its hundred years. "At the time, I drew olive branches which represent peace. It’is also the symbol of the Olympic Games".

He was then far from suspecting that he would one day carry the Olympic flame! This will be the case on May 13, in the streets of Montpellier. "I will represent craftsmanship, he emphasizes. My main challenge today is to pass on my knowledge. I am particularly responsible for the competition for the best apprentices in France. This allows us to create vocations, to find young people who stand out from the crowd, because we lack them."

"We learn every day"

During his apprenticeship in Paris, Frédéric Matan worked on numerous prestigious projects, including those of the Louvre Museum and the National Assembly.

In the region, he notably created the triumphal arch 18.5 m long and 10 m high, made of 55 tons of stone, which overlooks the main entrance from the Source Perrier to Vergèze.

"We may be a MOF, but we learn every day, he concludes. It takes time to know all the architectural styles, details…"

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