36 LEGGETTFRANCE.COM
French
STYLE France varies enormously in both topography and climate as
well as house types - and in their names. We've chosen a few here
to help you decide which style might be your favourite
WORDS: HELEN HOLBROOK PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK
CHAUMIÈRE
THATCHED COTTAGE
Typically chaumières are found in Normandy
and Brittany - their name coming from their
thatched roof made from wheat, rye or reeds.
Built from local materials, originally they enabled poor farmers
to build simple dwellings.
Walls might be of flint, granite (in Brittany)
or colombage - half timbering - with torchis
(cob) made of clay, hay and water to infill between
beams. Usually the floor plan is similar
to a longère with rooms laid out in a row with
inter-connecting doors - sometimes exteriors
are rendered in white making them particularly
attractive. No longer the properties of
the poor, they are now highly sought after -
such as this magnificent example currently
for sale for €508,800 which features thatch as
well as colombage, in Bourgtheroulde-Infreville, Upper
Normandy. Built in 1709 by the
last lord of the village it is immaculately presented
and offers four bedrooms, five bathrooms,
stabling and luscious gardens. Y Ref: 62026JDA27
€508,800
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