Comments on: An Idiot’s Guide to French Architecture https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/ France made simple Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:26:21 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Mary Anne https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-8542 Thu, 26 Sep 2024 11:11:28 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-8542 In reply to Sue Neave.

Hi Sue. What an interesting question. Many thanks. I have done a small amount of research into Charente and very briefly, France was caught up in the French Revolution and its Industrial Revolution was later than in the UK. Angoulême expanded in the early 19th century so would have attracted a certain amount of the rural community. Vineyards had been important and expanded in the 2nd half of the 19th century but phylloxera from 1875 was disastrous and led to a rural exodus. Do you have any dates around the exodus in the Charente?
In my region (Haute-Loire) there was a big expansion of small villages from the 1850s onwards which I have yet to explore. I will do some more research, possibly a good article here?

]]> By: Sue Neave https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-8527 Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:28:06 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-8527 Hi, I really enjoyed your article. My daughter and grandchildren live in the Charente and I’m always struck by the amount of deserted hamlets in the area. Was there a mass exodus from rural France to the cities like in the Industrial Revolution in the UK? If so when did this happen? So much of the life of small villages and hamlets has disappeared.
Sue Neave

]]> By: Mary Anne https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-8432 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:11:48 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-8432 In reply to John C Henry.

Hi John. Many apologies for the long delay; this one slipped through. You have some pretty spectacular châteaux designs!

]]> By: John C Henry https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-8312 Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:23:30 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-8312 Mary Anne, I think a lot of architects who create faux chateaux, should read this. I may be one of them. I grew up in Greece and Turkey but we toured select parts of Europe.
My college work was all International Style but I soon came to realize that traditional, classical architecture was what I really loved.
Here are some examples of my designs.
Thank you,
John Henry
https://www.dreamhomedesignusa.com/frenchcastlesfrenchcountryluxury

]]> By: Mary Anne https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-7859 Thu, 07 Dec 2023 12:02:18 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-7859 Thank you so much for this. It was fun to write; interesting subject!

]]> By: David Chong https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-7848 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:23:50 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-7848 I can understand French Architecture from your detail article.
Thank you.

]]> By: Mary Anne https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-7743 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:34:41 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-7743 In reply to Linda Edeiken.

I am so pleased you liked the article. It was great fun to write. I love your pursuit of pigeonniers; they are great structures and everywhere in France.

]]> By: Linda Edeiken https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-7741 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:31:26 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-7741 Thank you for this great article. Just want to mention that my favorite architectural item is the pigeonnier – I search for them everywhere I travel in the French countryside. They are real gems.

]]> By: Mary Anne https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-7376 Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:32:51 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-7376 In reply to Francine Sidler-Sicard.

Thanks so much. You’re right; Arcachon is beautiful. I need to go back again to really appreciate the interesting architectural aspect.

]]> By: Francine Sidler-Sicard https://maryannesfrance.com/culture/an-idiots-guide-to-french-architecture/#comment-7374 Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:30:33 +0000 https://maryannesfrance.com/?p=4629#comment-7374 You should visit the city of Arcachon located in the bay of the same name. The city of Arcachon, a very chic seaside resort created by Napoleon III and located in the bay of the same name about 55 km from Bordeaux is also worth visiting. The city is divided into 4 districts (Ville d’hiver, de printemps, d’été et d’automne). The Ville d’Hiver with its beautiful villas bourgeoises (mansions or manors) and their architecture specific to this city. The paradise of my youth and of my children.

]]>