Mansion - Page 3

Find your large home with Espaces Atypiques
A large living room for entertaining, spacious rooms for family life… The large home known as a maison bourgeoise is the perfect answer for many requirements around comfort, space and aesthetics.

Dating mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries, they are distinctive for their size and substance. While the aristocracy built manor houses and châteaux, public figures and the wealthy middle class opted for less opulent, but equally comfortable, homes.

This style of architecture uses high-quality locally sourced natural materials like brick, wood and slate and has stood the test of time well. These heritage homes may be two or three storeys with an attic or open roof space above.

Like a Maison de Maître mansion, the maison bourgeoise is also perceived as a character property. The higher the social status of its original owner, the larger the building, in terms of reception rooms, entrance hall or service quarters, such as a laundry room. The amount and use of the adjoining land (woods, lakes, pasture, etc.) also provide an insight into the social and financial standing of the original owner.Architectural styles vary depending on the date and region of construction. The monastic buildings typical of Bordeaux or Toulouse are also considered to be part of this tradition.
A home for renovation
The window openings, which are always higher than they are wide, the gabled or hipped roof and its framing all influence the value of this type of home. Its period credentials and high-quality construction make this type of home a valuable asset. Particular points of focus for restoration work include damp penetration, interior and exterior woodwork and upgraded thermal insulation to bring the house into line with today’s eco-challenges.