A thatcher is a craftsman who specializes in the manufacture and restoration of thatched roofs, a natural material made from rye, wheat or reed straw. This profession, deeply rooted in tradition, consists of selecting, preparing and installing bales of thatch to form a thick, durable and insulating roof, often on historic buildings or in rural areas. The thatcher follows several steps: sorting the materials, threshing to remove unwanted weeds, drying and finally laying the thatch in successive layers, either vertically or horizontally depending on the desired technique.
Today, thatchers also participate in the conservation of architectural heritage and the development of ecological solutions by modernizing certain techniques to meet contemporary needs.