The timber craftsmen of Le Français

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A community of master craftspeople dedicated to preserving Le Français through exceptional craftsmanship, deep respect for traditional materials and the passing on of time-honoured skills. Meet the men and women who keep the ship’s timber heritage alive.

Spotlight on Artisan: MICKAËL RENAULT

A shipwright for more than 20 years, Mickaël Renault runs the Scierie des Géants sawmill in Craon, which is equipped to cut oak logs up to 23 metres long. More than half of its activity is dedicated to traditional shipbuilding. He specialises in sourcing rare timbers with unique natural shapes for the restoration of historic ships and maritime heritage. His sawmill also cut the oak timber used in the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Meet our timber craftsmen

Bruno Potin
  • Bruno Potin 
  • A shipwright specialising in the restoration of traditional sailing vessels, Bruno Potin has worked on numerous heritage projects, including the reconstruction of the Artificial Island in the Penfeld River, Brest. An expert in traditional shipbuilding techniques, he masters the shaping and assembly of wooden hulls using time-honoured methods. With an in-depth knowledge of timber species and their behaviour in the marine environment, he helps preserve and pass on the centuries-old skills of wooden shipbuilding.
Thierry Juliot
  • Thierry Juliot 
  • A specialist in sourcing exceptional trees and an expert in marine timber, Thierry Juliot travels throughout France in search of outstanding oak logs. An expert in bespoke timber sawing, he served as an assistant project manager for the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. A supplier to the French Navy, he has a unique ability to identify the exceptional trees required for the restoration of historic ships.
J-M Ballu
  • Jean-Marie Ballu
  • A forestry engineer and internationally recognised expert in marine timber, Jean-Marie Ballu has devoted his career to studying the tree species used in traditional shipbuilding, including oak, elm, pine and larch. A leading author in the field, he has documented their properties and durability in the marine environment. Bridging the worlds of forestry and shipbuilding, he is committed to preserving the forests capable of providing the exceptional timber needed to safeguard our maritime heritage.
Mickael Renault
  • Mickaël Renault
  • A shipwright for more than 20 years, Mickaël Renault runs the Scierie des Géants sawmill in Craon, which is equipped to cut oak logs up to 23 metres long. More than half of its activity is dedicated to traditional shipbuilding. He specialises in sourcing rare timbers with unique natural shapes for the restoration of historic ships and maritime heritage. His sawmill also cut the oak timber used in the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Are you a timber craftsperson? Join us.

Restoring Le Français is a unique opportunity to work on France’s last wooden, double-hulled Baltic Trader still under sail. If you are a shipwright, sawyer or timber craftsperson with expertise in traditional techniques and a passion for preserving maritime heritage, we’d love to welcome you to our community of experts.

Apply now

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