The crane operator of Notre-Dame de Paris

We are thrilled that Magnum Photos has entered an editorial partnership with Summer of Solidarity to bring you amazing photo essays from its network of photographers across Europe.
Each week, we will be publishing a ‘Magnum Monday’: a vivid and in-depth exploration of people and places by legendary photographers, who will also be adding a personal text.

Patrick Zachmann was present on-site as the Cathédrale of Notre-Dame burned on the 15th of April 2019, to photograph the event. When reconstruction work began on the cathedral  two months later, he benefited from privileged access to the site. For over a year now, he has been documenting the reconstruction process.  

Among the many experts he’s met working on the construction site, Zachmann has chosen to share with us an interview he did with Christophe Haroutounian, the Notre-Dame crane operator who works at a height of more than 80 metres above ground level.

Patrick Zachmann: How do you define your role, your exact function?

Christophe Haroutounian: I am a crane operator, but I act like an orchestra conductor: I coordinate the sling, the maneuvers, the lifting, I do multiple tasks. But my responsibility is the tower crane, around the cathedral.

PZ: How did you become a crane operator?

CH: It was in my genes. I have a passion for all things mechanical. It was grandiose to me. I have Armenian roots. During the Soviet era there were no sophisticated cranes, only small machines. When my grandparents emigrated after the second world war, they saw cranes, construction sites. In my family, we worked as drivers and operators. Ever since I was a kid, we’d talk about this at dinner. That’s how I ended up working with cranes. I didn’t realise at the time that it was all destined to be this way. I was 19 years old, I did a traineeship and everything else followed. I’m very lucky to be here.

PZ: What is the most difficult thing here at Notre-Dame de Paris with this tower crane?

CH: The media coverage. Every French person has their eyes fixated on the cathedral. We know that the essential element is the lifting. Every crane movement is timed, analysed… It’s an enormous responsibility. 
And then, what’s inconvenient is that we’re a little bit isolated. The crane is a world unto itself. It’s teamwork without seeing your team. We’re completely autonomous and you have to know how to manage that. It’s an enormous responsibility.
It’s also challenging work with staggered schedules, the concentration, the permanent stress… When I get home, I don’t talk about my work.

PZ: How long do you stay up there?

CH: There are two teams. One starts at 7am and finishes at 1pm, the other starts at 1pm and finishes at 7pm. Generally-speaking, I spend mornings on the ground and in the afternoons I’m up on the crane.

PZ: You mentioned the need to concentrate when you’re up there?

CH: Yes, you have to pay attention to every detail: the wind, the rain, the visibility, looking at how things are attached, lifted. You have to pick up the load, and put it down. You also have to know the work on the ground. There are multiple movements at once in the piloting cabin: the pedals for the camera and the hand levers. There’s an electronic system against interference and to prevent collision.

PZ: Is your family proud?

CH: They’re very proud. For them, it’s a real success. It’s huge. It’s a very big construction site and the reconstruction of the Notre-Dame, that’s not about to be forgotten by the French and by the faithful. It’s going down in history.

PZ: After a mission like this, what would be your dream, your next project?

CH: What I dream of would be to do international work. Last summer, I went to Las Vegas. I saw so many buildings, it’s wonderful! There’s a lot to have fun with over there! My family agrees with that. But everything happens in its own time.