The Legacy of Samoëns' World-Traveling Stonemasons

By Ivan PetrenkoMay 14, 2024 14:30 PMNews
Share:
A view of a mountain range with trees in the foreground
A view of a mountain range with trees in the foreground. Source: unsplash

In the quaint village of Samoëns, nestled in the French Alps' Giffre Valley, the legacy of the local stonemasons, known as the frahans, is both a proud historical heritage and a fading tradition. With only two practitioners left, the ancient craft that once brought this small town international acclaim is at risk of disappearing.

Pierre Bianco, one of the last stonemasons, shared a glimpse into this storied past, pointing to old photographs and recounting tales from when these artisans were revered across continents. "Look, that one’s my father," he says, showing a photo from 1903, a testament to a time when stonemasonry was not just a trade but a bustling, vibrant profession.

Historically, the frahans of Samoëns were famed for their skill in cutting and carving the local limestone, which bears a close mineral hardness to marble. Their expertise was so sought after that they traveled across France and beyond, contributing to significant projects like the canals at Saint Quentin and military fortifications for Vauban. Their reach even extended to constructing buildings in Louisiana, USA, a fact commemorated in New Orleans archives.

During the 17th century, the demand for their unique skills provided these Alpine farmers with crucial off-season work. They transformed their winter-bound landscape into quarries that supplied quality stone for both local and international projects. The frahans were not just laborers; they formed a close-knit community, creating a brotherhood that supported each other through sickness, poverty, and the training of apprentices. They even developed their own secret language, Mourmé, allowing them to communicate covertly on job sites.

The town of Samoëns today still bears the marks of their craftsmanship. From the ornately carved architrave of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption church, completed in 1555, to the robust limestone columns supporting the roof of La Grenette, the stonemasons' work is a visible thread in the fabric of the village. The local botanic garden, La Jaÿsinia, also stands as a monument to their artistry, having been sculpted from a massive limestone cliff over three years by around 300 workers.

Despite these grand contributions, the contemporary reality is starkly different. The young generation shows little interest in pursuing this labor-intensive and less lucrative craft, preferring more modern professions. This shift poses a significant challenge to preserving such a rich heritage.

Pierre, with his intricate sculptures and historical knowledge, remains a living link to this illustrious past. His works, especially the rotating stone spheres, are not just art; they are a continuation of a legacy, a connection to a time when the frahans of Samoëns shaped stone and history alike.

As this small community looks forward, the challenge will be to maintain and celebrate this unique cultural heritage, ensuring that the stories and skills of the frahans do not fade into obscurity but continue to inspire pride and curiosity about the rich history of Samoëns.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Modern hotel room interior with bed, TV, and window view in Riyadh

New Radisson Blu Hotel Enhances Accommodation Options in Riyadh

Jul 30, 2025 23:37 PM
Cozy hotel room with wooden headboard and framed artwork above the bed

NH Collection Palermo Palazzo Sitano Opens in Historic City Center

Jul 30, 2025 21:45 PM

Qatar Airways Boosts Winter Flights to Key Global Destinations

Jul 30, 2025 19:22 PM

ScotRail Boosts Late-Night Services to Ease Travel During Edinburgh Festivals

Jul 30, 2025 07:38 AM
Passenger using smartphone during flight

Two Tickets in One Click: JetBlue and United Simplify Complex Routes

Jul 29, 2025 23:43 PM
Bedroom interior with bedside table and lamp

Florø Prepares to Expand Accommodation Options for Visitors

Jul 29, 2025 21:36 PM
Southwest Airlines aircraft ascending with snowy mountains in the background

Southwest Changes Boarding Rules and Adds New Winter Destinations for 2026

Jul 29, 2025 19:28 PM
Modern hotel room with double bed, armchair, and wall art

Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa to Open in Town Center, Bringing New Stay Option to Anjuna

Jul 29, 2025 17:42 PM
Woman checking travel information on her phone during a flight

Philippine Airlines Introduces Pre-Flight Emails with Essential Travel Details

Jul 29, 2025 02:35 AM

Weekend Engineering Works to Affect Rail Access Between Stalybridge and Dewsbury

Jul 28, 2025 23:25 PM

New Non-Stop Route from Cape Town Opens Up Mauritius for Travelers

Jul 28, 2025 21:32 PM
A woman using her smartphone while sitting on public transport

East Midlands Railway Cuts Fares on Summer Routes Across UK

Jul 28, 2025 20:47 PM
Person using smartphone at airport

New Ryanair System Changes How Travellers Book Through Agencies

Jul 28, 2025 16:26 PM
Modern hotel room with large window and city view

Holiday Inn Express Brings Overnight Option to Changanassery’s Lively Local Streets

Jul 28, 2025 14:33 PM
American Airlines aircraft preparing for departure on the runway

Denver Departure Chaos: American Airlines Flight Evacuated After Smoke Alert

Jul 27, 2025 23:54 PM

Malaysia and Indonesia Open New Direct Air Routes to Simplify Travel to Borneo

Jul 27, 2025 20:31 PM

Rail Disruptions in Liguria: RFI Construction Projects Will Impact August Travel

Jul 26, 2025 23:41 PM
Condor Airbus A330neo with green and white striped livery on airport runway

New daily Condor flights reshape the flight map of Europe

Jul 26, 2025 21:37 PM
Airplane flying overhead against a partly cloudy sky

Gdańsk Opens New Direct Route to Agadir, Simplifying Travel to Morocco’s Coast

Jul 26, 2025 20:26 PM
China Airlines Airbus in flight with clear sky background

New Direct Flights Connect Taipei and Phoenix, Expanding Access to Southwest U.S. Destinations

Jul 26, 2025 19:43 PM
Rail maintenance machinery working on tracks in South Wales

South Wales Rail Upgrades to Impact Travel Access in Early August

Jul 26, 2025 18:39 PM
easyJet aircraft on airport tarmac with boarding stairs

Euro Final in the Sky: easyJet to Announce Scores to Passengers During Flights

Jul 25, 2025 23:27 PM

Expect Delays: Leicester–Peterborough Line Closed 2 and 3 August

Jul 25, 2025 21:34 PM

Steam-Powered Day Trips from London Unlock Access to Britain’s Hidden Landscapes

Jul 25, 2025 20:42 PM
WestJet airplane in flight against a blue sky

New Air Partnership Opens More Direct Travel Routes Between North America and Africa

Jul 25, 2025 15:28 PM
Wizz Air aircraft approaching landing in clear sky

New Wizz Air Flights Open Southern Europe to Gdańsk Travellers

Jul 25, 2025 10:35 AM