Looking Up In Paris `
# Paris Through the Eyes of a Slate Roofer —
The Art of Scalloped Slate at the Institute de France
A guest post from Maribel Flores — writing live from Paris, France
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I have to be honest with you — when most people visit Paris, they look straight ahead at the grandeur of the buildings, the fashion, the cafés, the people. Me? After 30 years alongside my husband Ricardo and the team at Carolina Slate LLC, I look up.
And Paris? Paris rewards you richly for looking up.
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## A Building That Stopped Me in My Tracks
Standing across from the Institut de France on the Left Bank of the Seine, I found myself completely captivated. This magnificent 17th-century building — home to France's most prestigious academic institution — is crowned by one of the most breathtaking domes I have ever seen in person. And yes, I am standing right there on those steps in the photo, trying to take it all in.
But what truly held my attention — what had me reaching for my camera immediately — was the roof.
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## The Slate. Oh, The Slate.
The dome of the Institut de France is covered in scalloped slate, and it is nothing short of a masterpiece. Each slate is carefully cut and shaped into a rounded, fish-scale pattern — then laid by hand in perfectly overlapping layers that follow the curve of the dome from base to crown.
The result is something that is equal parts architecture and art.
The close-up photo tells the whole story. Look at the precision. Look at the texture. Each individual piece of slate sitting exactly where it belongs, creating a surface that is not only stunning to look at — but engineered to shed water, resist the elements, and protect that structure for centuries. And it has. This building has stood since 1688.
That is the power of slate done right.
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## What Ricardo Sees When He Looks at This
My husband Ricardo has spent over 30 years working with slate — restoring it, preserving it, and protecting historic homes and buildings across North Carolina and Georgia. When I sent him these photos, I already knew what his response would be.
He saw craftsmanship. He saw intention. He saw the hands of skilled tradespeople who understood that what they were building would outlast them by centuries — and took that responsibility seriously.
That is exactly the standard we bring to every project at Carolina Slate LLC. Whether it is a historic home in Raleigh or a century-old church in Georgia, we treat every roof as if it will be standing 300 years from now. Because with quality slate and proper installation — it very well could be.
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## Slate Is Not Just a Roofing Material. It Is an Art Form.
What Paris reminded me — and what these photos capture beautifully — is that slate roofing is not a trade. It is a craft. It takes an eye for detail, an understanding of the material, and a deep respect for the structure beneath it.
The scalloped dome of the Institut de France is proof of what is possible when that craft is taken seriously.
If you have a historic home with a slate roof, you deserve that same level of care and expertise. Not a quick fix. Not a substitute material. The real thing — done the right way.
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We would love to take a look at your roof and talk about what is possible. Reach out to us anytime for a free estimate.
Carolina Slate LLC | Serving North Carolina & Georgia | 30+ Years of Experience
📞 (919)448-5222
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Photos taken by Maribel Flores at the Institut de France, Paris — May 2026
