Tavillonneuse: the art of roofing
Discover the portrait of Méline, a tavillonneuse at Les Mosses
An ancestral craft with an oral tradition
Méline Durgnat has been working as a tavillonneuse for six years. Perched on a roof, hammer in hand, she explains her career and her passion for this craft, for which there is no training.
After completing her carpentry apprenticeship, Méline discovered the trade of tavillonneuse by chance, after trying her hand at tavillonnage for two days. She went on to learn this ancient trade on the job, and hasn't left her tavillon bumps and tools since.
Woodworking, whatever the weather
Méline particularly enjoys working in the middle of nature and being able to observe the changing seasons. One drawback? Working outdoors means that sometimes the snow comes down on the roof at the same time as the tavillonneuse... You can also imagine that this job requires you not to suffer from vertigo!
Shingles: how does it work?
The wood used for the tavillons comes mainly from local spruce trees in the Pays-d'Enhaut and the Col des Mosses. To be able to clad the roofs, the shingles are mounded and then soaked in water to keep them supple. Each truss is then meticulously nailed by hand. "There are some basic rules to follow," explains Méline. But, as with any craft, you can "cheat" to get the result you want.
