Workshop Manufacture of candles, traditional know-how around the life of churches

by Ciergerie Leroy, de Boulogne-sur-mer

In Wimereux, with the partnership of the City, the Association of Friends of the Church has federated local associations for the enhancement of the Heritage (civil, religious, military) to invite you to look up at the viaduct and to look at the construction of the railway track in Wimille, with its station, which was the decisive element in the genesis of the seaside resort of Wimereux (currently classified Remarkable Heritage Site). An independent urbanization of Wimille was created, with its city center, around its church (currently closed for restoration). The AEICW also offers some workshops on trades that revolve around the life and construction of churches.
Atelier «Cierge» par la ciergerie Leroy: to discover the different stages of the manufacture of candles, thanks to the experience of the Ciergerie Leroy de Boulogne-sur-mer.
A little bit of history:
Originally, beeswax was used to make candles to light up at night. If they were made of beef tallow (or sheep) they were called “candles”. Before the candle, for centuries, the cane was used to make candles. Slit carefully to avoid damaging the marrow, it was soaked in vegetable or animal fat that was then allowed to harden. We used to burn it in cane burners.
The candle was more practical without being excessively expensive.. Less liquid that overturns, flame to adjust, tank to fill. But the tallow runs and hurts the fingers, the flame remains yellow and smoky, it is always necessary to maintain the wick which ends up coalescing, unlike candles with beeswax which released much less black smoke.
The wax candle retains the benefits of the candle and eliminates its defects. But its price (under Louis XIV the cost of a candle was equivalent to the daily wage of a skilled worker or about 2,5 Pounds) limits the diffusion to the highest spheres of society and especially to the Royalty. The people will settle for tallow candles.
The candle itself was developed in the middle of the 19th century and is distinguished from the candle by its raw material and by the use of wicks of woven cotton. Braiding allows the wick to bend and consume itself: no need to blow it. The appearance of solid paraffin (petroleum distillate) and stearin (animal and vegetable fat extract) now allows the production of candles of better quality.
La ciergerie Leroy:
Installed in Boulogne sur mer since 1870, the candle maker LEROY, with a craftsmanship handed down from generation to generation, manufactures since its origin, quality candles. Run by Alain Bontemps and his daughter Olivia, in 2015 she received the label "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant". It is one of the last companies manufacturing candles in northern France.