Geochemical characterization of “Lorraine limestones” from the Saint-Paul Cathedral of Liège (Belgium): assumptions for the true provenance of the building stones

We investigate the provenance of the ochre building stones called “Lorraine limestones” used for architectural specific elements of the Saint-Paul Cathedral in Liège (Belgium) between the thirteenth and fifteenth century. A multi-analytical approach, including archives study, petrography and Rare Earth Elements geochemistry, has been performed to characterize the stones used in the church and to compare them with ochre limestones outcropping in the north-east of the Paris Basin. Our study suggests that a very restricted geographical area near the ancient port of Donchery (Ardennes, France) including Dom-le-Mesnil and Hannogne ancient quarries of Bajocian limestones (Middle Jurassic) should clearly be regarded as the potential origin location for the stones used in the Saint-Paul Cathedral.