Pure natural hydraulic lime and Kholao® Saint-Astier® solutions are featured in the south pavilion of the Saint-Benoît courtyard at Fontevraud Abbey

By Primavera - PR Agency Published on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 12:32

Photo credits : SAINT-ASTIER CHILLE

Summary for decision-makers

The firm R&C Architectes renovated offices in the south pavilion of the Saint-Benoît courtyard at Fontevraud Abbey. The project preserves the heritage while creating modern workspaces. The work included stabilizing the existing structures, renovating the floors and walls, using lime plaster, and creating solid wood partitions. The integration of the building services was carried out without altering the original walls.

Saint-Astier® solutions, notably Pure Lime Tradi 100® NHL 5 and Pure White Lime LC****® NHL 3,5, ensured durability, permeability, and compatibility with the historical materials. Kholao® Adhesive and Kholao® Joint products enabled the restoration of 100 m² of floors and 150 m² of walls, respecting the architectural authenticity of the listed site. Expected delivery: December 2025.

The last residence of Eleanor of Aquitaine, founded in the 12th century, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located near Saumur in the Loire Valley, the largest monastic complex in Europe, once transformed into a prison, has become a place dedicated to culture and contemporary creation.

Renovation of the south pavilion of Fontevraud Abbey: a balance between heritage and modernity thanks to natural lime

R&C Architectes, a heritage architecture firm, was commissioned by SOPRAF (Société Publique Régionale Abbaye de Fontevraud) to renovate the south pavilion of the Saint-Benoît courtyard, in the heart of the abbey. The objective? To redesign three historic rooms to adapt them to contemporary use: to house staff offices within a listed site, while respecting its identity and architecture.

R&C Architects places particular importance on the choice of materials used on its construction sites. Therefore, to restore this historically significant location, they relied on the expertise of Chaux Saint-Astier®, a leader in heritage restoration and conservation, and the quality of its pure natural hydraulic lime. To carry out the floor and wall restoration work, the architectural firm contracted Baserolo, a company with extensive experience in stone cutting and laying, as well as the restoration of historical monuments. Supported by the Chaux Saint-Astier® technical department, Baserolo began work in March 2024. They applied CHAUX PURE TRADI 100® - NHL 5, KHOLAO® Adhesive, and KHOLAO® Grout—lime solutions specifically designed to respect the original materials and the building's structure. These solutions are ideal for creating breathable floors, from paving to the grouting of terracotta tiles. The walls were coated with PURE WHITE LIME LC****® NHL 3,5 and pointed with PURE TRADI LIME 100® NHL 5 with local 0/4 mm sand.

Saint-Astier® solutions adapt to existing structures while respecting heritage.

The firm R&C Architectes designed and executed the office fit-out on the ground floor of the south pavilion of the Saint-Benoît courtyard. Working on a prestigious and historically significant site required a respectful and meticulous approach in the selection of materials, both new and reused. They had to find the perfect balance between heritage preservation, aesthetics, and functionality to create modern workspaces while maintaining the site's identity.

As part of this demanding and exceptional project, the renovation of the floors and walls in the pavilion had several objectives:

the stabilization of old structures,
the renovation of all the floors,
the restoration of the upper floor using the original materials,
the application of lime plaster to preserve the masonry,
the creation of solid wood partitions to redefine spaces without obscuring them,
the careful integration of technical networks, without touching the walls.

R&C Architectes sought the expertise of the lime kiln for this project. Frédéric Bregeon - Technical and Sales Manager of Saint-Astier® Lime explains: We are familiar with Fontevraud Abbey, having previously worked on other parts of the site, but this time the project focused more specifically on the south pavilion of the Saint-Benoît courtyard. We provided product specifications and recommendations to R&C Architectes, and oversaw the construction, supporting the Baserolo company at various key stages, such as the start of the lime concrete pour.»

The company Baserolo has produced a new lime concrete slab over an area of 100 m2 with Pure Tradi 100® NHL 5 Lime (pure natural hydraulic lime, core of the Saint-Astier® range) mixed with 0/15 mm gravel and 0/15 mm sand. This recipe was chosen for its good consistency and ease of application. To address site accessibility constraints, the lime concrete was delivered and poured by the concrete plant. Anjou Concrete Works using a spinning top and a pump.

The company then carried out the installation and grouting of the square terracotta tiles using Kholao® Adhesive and Kholao® Joint solutions. Based on natural hydraulic lime and without cement, these two Saint-Astier® products, ready to use and easy to implement, ensure the consistency of the system and the breathability of the soil in this old building.

As for the stone walls and vaults, They were consolidated and restored with a lime plaster in a traditional recipe with Pure White Lime LC****® NHL 3,5 mixed with 0/4 and 0/2 mm grain size sand and Pure Tradi 100® NHL 5 lime mixed with 0/4 mm local sand for jointing.

« Choosing our proven, natural and sustainable solutions allows construction sites like this one to...to preserve the permeability of the support to water vapor, to promote water and hygrometric exchanges while respecting the built heritage and masonry. In perfect harmony with this listed site, they ensure sustainable restoration while respecting the original materials and the authenticity of the building. " recalls Frédéric Bregeon, Technical-Sales Manager of Chaux Saint-Astier®.

Saint-Astier® products offer good performance and can be adapted to existing systems:

• Pure Tradi 100® NHL 5 Lime The strength of Pure Natural Hydraulic Lime is perfectly suited to masonry work and floor slabs. Easy to work with, smooth, and promoting moisture exchange, it is widely used in demanding environments and for lime concrete (with appropriate mechanical strength).

• PURE WHITE LIME LC ****® NHL 3,5 This Pure Natural Hydraulic Lime is the most versatile. It is perfectly suited for use on stone in masonry work, plastering, and pointing. It is also valued for its compatibility with plaster-bonded substrates. Its progressive strength limits shrinkage and reinforces the building's mechanical resistance. It ensures a consistent color, matching the color of the sand used.

• KHOLAO® Glue This ready-to-use adhesive mortar, free of ordinary cement, is suitable for renovating old floors. It guarantees breathability and consistency of the existing floor system (slab/screed/adhesive/tiles/grout).

• KHOLAO® Joint This jointing mortar respects the traditional appearance of the joint, and its flexibility minimizes the risk of cracking. Thanks to its off-white 020 shade, it has preserved the authenticity of the space.

Site file

Project owner: SOPRAF: Regional Public Company Abbaye de Fontevraud)
Project manager: R&C Architecture & Heritage Architects, 13-14 Place - 79150 Argentonnay
Work carried out by: Baserolo Company, 11 rue de la Bilette - 49390 La Breilles-les-pins
Lime concrete surface area: 100 m2
Lime plaster surface area: 150 m2
Delivery of the site: December 2025

Frequently Asked Questions for Decision Makers

What solutions were used to respect the heritage during the renovation of the south pavilion of the Saint-Benoît courtyard?

Saint-Astier® products, including natural hydraulic limes and ready-to-use mortars, have been used to ensure the preservation of heritage, the consistency of masonry and the breathability of supports.

What specific materials were chosen for the floors and walls?

For the floors, a lime concrete slab using Pure Lime Tradi 100® NHL 5 was created. For the walls and vaults, a traditional plaster using Pure White Lime LC****® NHL 3,5 and joints using Pure Lime Tradi 100® NHL 5 were applied.

What are the main advantages of Saint-Astier® solutions for old buildings?

Saint-Astier® solutions ensure durability, water vapor permeability and respect for original materials, while preserving the authenticity and functionality of historic buildings.

Thematic glossary for decision-makers

Pure natural hydraulic lime (NHL)

Mineral binder obtained by firing limestone, used for masonry, plasters and joints, offering permeability to water vapor and mechanical resistance suitable for old buildings.