ARCHITECTURE IN GASCONY

Architecture in Gascony is varied and the styles quite diverse. Each style of property reflects the different regional influences and the different techniques of the building to accommodate climatic conditions and situation. The building materials used in traditional construction were determined often by the availability and proximity of natural resources.

 

In the northern Gers; one finds a predominance of sand-stone, to the west on the borders of the Landes there is an influence of the Landaise architecture, with evidence of more colombage (exposed oak framework packed with straw and mud). Architects are again using similar materials for construction due to their qualities of insulation. There are three traditional categories of roof tile used in the area. The tuile picon, a flat baked clay tile, often used on the steeper roofs in the Bearn and for fetage in the Gers. The gersois roofs are usually have a flatter pitch and make use of a tuile roman, a bevelled clay tile. These roofs need more maintenance as the tiles tend to slip. As you approach the mountains the tiles progressively shift to slate.

 

To the south the construction is based on river stone (flint), and to the east the architecture is poorer with many farmhouses being constructed with mud bricks. Across the whole of the Gascony region the countryside is dotted with handsome stone built farm houses chateaux and elegant manoirs tucked into wooded parks. The houses are often characterised by terre-cuite floors, wide stone fireplaces, carved oak staircases, and built in fruit-wood cupboards each with characteristics unique to their district and respectful of its cultural heritage.

 

With the Pyrenees mountains in the distance many of the properties in the Gers have a background drop of the panoramic view of the Pyrenees. This can be true in the hilly regions as well as in the valleys. With such a wide range of property in Gascony finding a house to buy in this part of the world is a wonderful adventure.