Historical property: what do we mean?
Although there are distinct types of property for each period, it is common for a property to comprise several buildings from different periods. Therefore a property may have been extended, raised, radically altered, moved or even completely rebuilt. From the outset, fortresses that had lost all strategic interest were usually dismantled, and castles have always replaced castles. However, we can distinguish three types of historical properties using a morphological and architectural approach:
- Those built ex nihilo, all at once, and which have been passed down to us virtually unchanged. In general, these are buildings of great authenticity, particularly homogeneous and little altered, and their rarity is of great interest from a documentary point of view.
- Those that replace, almost in their entirety, one or more previous buildings. This is a similar configuration to the previous category but with the continuation of older elements that have influenced the new construction. This may be a reconstruction on older foundations, the conservation of pre-existing outbuildings, the integration of an original house into a later building, etc. There are many possible scenarios.
- Those built over several eras and do not conceal any part of their evolution. They are probably the most fascinating because, despite their apparent heterogeneity, they are like an open book. At first glance, they offer both the turbulent and prosperous moments of their past.
Looked at in detail, the materials and how they are used tell us a great deal about the historic character of a property. Transporting materials by river wasn't always practical and overland transport was particularly expensive so most materials, especially stone, were extracted locally. This process has evolved over the centuries, providing a wealth of information on construction methods and periods of construction, as well as on the development and transfer of skills and expertise. These materials are the very stuff that allows art to express itself in three dimensions. The preliminary design and vocabulary of ornamentation found in architecture form a veritable language. If each era has its own language, each building has its own interpretation of that language.
Finally, what would the history of a house be without the people who built or lived in it? After archaeology and art history comes genealogy, which is projected into the history of France. The careers of the craftsmen who built these decorations, stone by stone; of the architects who dreamed them up and skilfully designed them; and of the families who played the leading role within their walls, all bear witness - first-hand - to the great hours of France's national history. They are the heroes of these stone ships. When a residence has not been abandoned or destroyed, it offers us a lively and moving insight into the daily lives of our ancestors, a past that is still with us and up to us to keep alive.
Buying a historic property means taking part in an extraordinary adventure: travelling into the intimacy of time and giving the present moment the dimension of several centuries. Our news feed will allow you to discover or rediscover all the riches of our history and all the riches of our heritage. To create, consolidate and strengthen a deep attachment to this unique architectural heritage is a project that we are passionate about, and one that is aimed at both established buyers and those who are not yet aware of it. It is our sincere hope that everyone will be able to understand and reappropriate it. We believe that these values are essential if the wonders built by our ancestors are to survive and flourish.
