In March 2024, the façade of the main entrance to Besançon's Citadelle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, benefited from a major cleaning thanks to the skills sponsorship of the Kärcher company.
Kärcher, the world leader in cleaning, has been involved in the restoration of historic monuments around the world for over forty years. From the Statue of Liberty in the United States to the Great Buddha of Ling Shan in China and the Luxor Obelisk in Paris, the company has carried out more than 190 emblematic cleaning projects. Sharing the values of heritage preservation and respect for the environment, Kärcher has joined forces with the Citadelle de Besançon cleaning project.
This ambitious project involved the Front Saint-Étienne, a 122.5-meter-long historic building. The façade, blackened by moss and lichen deposits, was restored to its former glory by gentle steam cleaning. Kärcher's specialized cordage teams worked without scaffolding, ensuring the safety of the site. Kärcher's professional rope access technicians abseiled directly down to the façade. Only the cleaning of the central pavilion required the installation of a gondola, which meant that the Citadelle was closed to the public from March 18 to 22 inclusive. The installation prevented the passage of vehicles and safe access to the site for visitors.
The chosen cleaning method, based on gentle steam and low pressure, preserves the original substance of the wall while preventing the regrowth of algae and micro-organisms. For hard-to-reach areas, a self-sufficient hot-water high-pressure trailer was used. This environmentally-friendly approach requires no chemicals. In addition, low-pressure micro-particles were used to remove black scabs, guaranteeing meticulous restoration of this precious historical heritage.
Come and admire the Citadel, now resplendent!