Postcard of Paris circa

Postcard of Paris circa 1880 – the rooftops look as they do today the fourth most commonly used metal in the world. In 1805, Emperor Napoléon granted him a monopoly for the exploitation of the zinc mines of Moresnet, 50 kilometers east of Liège, on condition that he pay an annual royalty of 40,500 francs (approximately €15,000 today). Dony showed his gratitude to Napoleon by presenting him with a zinc-lined bath. Napoleon was so thrilled by its light weight and utility that he took it on his subsequent campaigns, including his invasion of Russia in 1812. The bath can still be seen at the Maison de la Metallurgie et de l’Industrie in Liège. But by 1813, Dony found himself unable to pay the annual royalty and was forced to sell his patent and mining rights. He died in poverty in 1819. However, the company he founded grew and prospered to become the largest zinc-producing company in the world. In 1837, the Société des Mines et Fonderies de Zinc de la Vieille Montagne was created. The new industrial uses of zinc with its undeniable properties of flexibility, durability and resistance to corrosion, arrived just when Haussmann began transforming the city. At that time, most Parisian roofs were made of either wood, tile, or slate. New construction on such a massive scale called for a faster and more economical roofing material. Zinc sheets were substantially lighter and easier to install, and they protected buildings from water damage. Zinc roofing could be used to create curved shapes or sharply angled roofs, allowing for more elaborate designs to suit the aesthetics of the 19th century Belle Epoque, including the creation of attic rooms, which are highly sought-after living spaces today. The exposed zinc rooftops, which still cover 85 percent of the iconic Parisian skyline owe their beautiful patina to a natural process of weathering, the softening of the colour belies its durability and strength. The specialist knowledge of around 500 Parisian couvreurszingueurs, zinc roofers, who work year-round to build, maintain, and repair the zinc-covered roofs of Paris is essential to the continuation of the zinc roofs. You’ll often spot them perched on scaffolding preserving the iconic roofs of Paris. Sue Aran is a writer, photographer, and tour guide living in the Gers department of southwest France. She is the owner of French Country Adventures, which provides personally-guided, small-group, slow travel tours into Gascony, the Pays Basque, Provence and beyond. 52 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 53