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I had a hard time trying to put into words what it is that I want. I always knew that I wanted “FRENCH”, but really though, there are many different styles of French architecture. I knew I didn’t want the super formal French provincial style for my house, but don’t get me wrong, I totally *love* that style, and if I were building a two story house that is what I would do.
But we are building a one story house, which I didn’t think was French at all (until I started studying). I don’t ever intend to sell this house and plan to live in it until I’m in my eighties, which may be wishful thinking, but a girl can dream.
The first exterior plans our architect sent us was a modernized version of Mediterranean architecture. Steel roof with a mix of tile roof and steel windows. He added working shutters at my request. But I’ve been thinking long and hard about it, and I don’t want a steel roof. I think it will look too “2010s”. Also, I don’t see a lot of metal roofing material when I study French architecture. So, back to the drawing board. I want a “French Country House”. I thought, what exactly is “French Country”?? So my study of French architecture started.
This post ended up being super long, so I broke it down into part 1 and part 2. Part 1 looks at actual architecture in France. Part 2 looks at Americanized French architecture.
As it turns out, there are TONS of different types of French houses. Every region in France has a slightly different version!
Périgourdine
This type of house had a steeply pitched roof, making it look like straight out of a fairy tale. The height from the top to the bottom of the roof is usually at least as tall as the walls below. If there is an upper story house it has dormer windows.
source
source Maxwell Storrie Baynes
source Maxwell Storrie Baynes
Château
This is also a vague term, and usually just means very large manor house. A Manoir and Chateau are essentially the same thing, but the chateau has to be on the heritage register. They are usually formal and stately. Below, is a stunning example of a Baroque Chateau, the Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte.
pics – source Wikipedia
Maison de Maitre
It is a free standing rectangular house that is usually two stories tall with an attic. It usually has a symmetrical façade. It usually has three windows across the first floor, but also may have five. The Maison de Maitre usually has a slightly imposing appearance!
source Maxwell Storrie Baynes
source Maxwell Storrie Baynes
source Maxwell Storrie Baynes
The Domaine
In wine growing areas, the term chateau is actually used for the vineyard. A “chateau” with a vineyard is known as a Domaine.
source Maxwell Storrie Baynes
Longère
A long, single story dwelling that is one room deep.
Chartreuse
It is a one story country house that was built from 1650-1850. The property was designed for easy living, with all living quarters on the ground floor. The houses were mostly 1 room deep, but could be more. The rooms had windows or French doors on both sides to get an indoor-outdoor feel. The gardens often had a formal French style herb/kitchen garden as well. Historically, the chartreuse was built as French country homes for the bourgeoisie. In the 18th century, the style changed a little. They often had carved stone cornices, stone moldings around doors and windows, stone sinks, small stone oval shaped windows (oeil de bouef) and often had an interior courtyard. If there is an upper floor, it would be a mansard roof with towers at either end.
source Maxwell Storrie Baynes
The Villa
A more modern type of property, now typical in Provence and the South of France. There are clean lines, lots of land and space. They have the modern conveniences built in.
source
The Mas
A stone house usually in Provence as a rural property. They vary in size and are less structured and less symmetrical than a bastide. Originally all of the mas were south-facing due to the winds.
source – la porte property
Below is an example of a modern day Mas.
source – architect in Provence
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| source
The Bastide
It is the equivalent in Provence to the Maison de maitre. The bastide is a symmetrical stone building at least two stories tall with big windows. They are usually part of a larger property with out buildings. It may be rectangular or square shape and is larger and more elegant than a Mas. It has a tiled roof that is flatter than other parts of the region and stone walls that may be whitewashed. |
The one below is a bastide but it is also kind of in a chartreuse style given how long it is.
Girondine Style
A type of Bastide that may be L shaped.
source
Colombage House
A half-timbered house, usually in the Normandy area. It looks like English houses because the area was right next to England and had the same influences.
Now, I know there are many more types of French houses, but these are the main ones. Every region in France has different architecture. What I did learn though, is that none of them have French provincial? Why? Because it’s American!
Click here to read PART TWO of French Style Houses!
Information Sources
1. http://www.maxwellstorriebaynes.com/blog/dordogne-chateaux-dordogne-chartreuse/
2. https://www.frenchentree.com/french-property/local-property-guides/provence-property-guide/
3. http://www.french-property.com/regions/
