Details details! It's what makes French architecture, from a distant era, so interesting and beautiful. And nothing speaks of beauty like the French door and the French window. Which is why I always seem to end up with a collection of them in my photo files.
In a French town or village, there are often rows of stucco or stone townhouses, close to the road. So sometimes a door or window is what gives these rows of homes a soul, and they are often adorned with flowers or lace curtains or fancy doorknockers.
And then there are the elaborate carved window and door details from historic buildings that stop you in your tracks. So from the lowliest abode to the finest château, here are some French windows and doors to make you smile.
A carving over a medieval gothic window
Windows like these, common in France, are called oeil de boeuf, a bull's eye window. But this is the first one I've seen with a fitted shutter.
White roses, lace curtains–oh so French!
Some fabulously ornate windows in Nancy
Love the peephole!
A couple of lovingly adorned windows on street-front houses:
A flowery wall frames this arched window
Here I was intrigued by the wonderful peeling paint, the collapsing shutters, and the small effort of the five plastic roses stuck in abandoned window boxes
A very old and unique doorway in Saint-Gengoux-le-Nationale
This old door, in the Lanquedoc, is about 4 feet tall
Two very pretty entries in Châteauneuf
Brass bells are common doorbells for houses in la campagne
I love the serious overhang on this door in Mersault, like the dome on a church
In Beaune, a back-alley entrance to a cooking store
At the Château de Bagnols in the Beaujolais,a very old and impressive entry door
Even the backplates for a lock get special attention
Right on the street, an entry with no front yard gets dressed up with a pretty doorway and a grapevine
A lovely doorway at the Château Sainte-Sabine
Our reader and friend, artist Tom Vieth, is obviously taken with French doorways as well
You can see more of his paintings here.
In the COMMENTS: Paula, sorry about your tulips, and I have no idea how the gardens keep them on schedule and perfect. Cindy, rivers of color is right, it was spectacular. Hi there Virginia, and yes, with Joan and Benito, it was fun. Bonnie, glad you enjoyed Beaune. And isn't it fascinating that the variegated tulips were caused by a virus? Hi Thea, and yes, we are carrying on, Covid-cautious but still having fun.
Favorite Reads: Our official Reader Natalia says she heard The Anomaly, by Hervé Le Tellier, was great –but she can't get into it. Have you read it? Meanwhile, I reserved a copy of the mystery The Paris Apartment, but my husband got hold of it and now he won't let it go!
27 thoughts on “The Art of the Detail”
Charming photos! You captured so many different regions, architectural styles, and ways of life. All different but held together by that unique ‘Frenchness’ we are all so enamored of.
Charming photos! You captured so many different regions, architectural styles, and ways of life. All different but held together by that unique ‘Frenchness’ we are all so enamored of.
Charming photos! You captured so many different regions, architectural styles, and ways of life. All different but held together by that unique ‘Frenchness’ we are all so enamored of.
So lovely, Lynn. Thanks for these pics! Very hot on SSI but all is well here. 🌿 Thea
So lovely, Lynn. Thanks for these pics! Very hot on SSI but all is well here. 🌿 Thea
So lovely, Lynn. Thanks for these pics! Very hot on SSI but all is well here. 🌿 Thea
Bonjour Lynn
Merci pour votre recommendation pour mon livre lors de votre dernière édition de ce blog! J’apprécie beaucoup. Mon livre est en vente sur Amazon.fr également. Un grand merci! Francine Martinie Chough.
Bonjour Lynn
Merci pour votre recommendation pour mon livre lors de votre dernière édition de ce blog! J’apprécie beaucoup. Mon livre est en vente sur Amazon.fr également. Un grand merci! Francine Martinie Chough.
Bonjour Lynn
Merci pour votre recommendation pour mon livre lors de votre dernière édition de ce blog! J’apprécie beaucoup. Mon livre est en vente sur Amazon.fr également. Un grand merci! Francine Martinie Chough.
You’ve captured lovely examples of French charm. One of my favorite places in France is St. Paul de Vence where doors, windows, and even the cobblestones are mini works of art. I love Tom Vieth’s painting!
You’ve captured lovely examples of French charm. One of my favorite places in France is St. Paul de Vence where doors, windows, and even the cobblestones are mini works of art. I love Tom Vieth’s painting!
You’ve captured lovely examples of French charm. One of my favorite places in France is St. Paul de Vence where doors, windows, and even the cobblestones are mini works of art. I love Tom Vieth’s painting!
Such a joy to take my time and relish each photo of beautiful French windows and doors, especially since I am also a great fan! Thanks again, Lynn!
Such a joy to take my time and relish each photo of beautiful French windows and doors, especially since I am also a great fan! Thanks again, Lynn!
Such a joy to take my time and relish each photo of beautiful French windows and doors, especially since I am also a great fan! Thanks again, Lynn!
Thank you,Lynn,for another wonderful post.I feel like I’ve just enjoyed a fantastic journey(even if the armchair variety) through so much beauty,and absolute joie de vivre!
I must also comment on the first photo of such a spectacular door knocker–and the hand about to use it.
That eternity ring is nothing short of gorgeous!!!
Thank you,Lynn,for another wonderful post.I feel like I’ve just enjoyed a fantastic journey(even if the armchair variety) through so much beauty,and absolute joie de vivre!
I must also comment on the first photo of such a spectacular door knocker–and the hand about to use it.
That eternity ring is nothing short of gorgeous!!!
Thank you,Lynn,for another wonderful post.I feel like I’ve just enjoyed a fantastic journey(even if the armchair variety) through so much beauty,and absolute joie de vivre!
I must also comment on the first photo of such a spectacular door knocker–and the hand about to use it.
That eternity ring is nothing short of gorgeous!!!
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for sharing these colorful photos! They are a reminder Der of our travels there!
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for sharing these colorful photos! They are a reminder Der of our travels there!
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for sharing these colorful photos! They are a reminder Der of our travels there!
Hey there Lynn!
In response to a comment above, we had the opportunity to visit Cheekwood Garden in Nashville towards the end of tulip season this spring. The hours that we spend there are usually a favorite part of out visit with no matter what season. We were amazed (and horrified) to learn that they plant many thousands of tulips each fall to ensure a succession of blooms each spring. Then, because the “rebloom” rate for tulips of roughly 75% doesn’t meet their requirements, they pull every bulb prior to summer and either compost or give them away to the garden volunteers. Those great swaths of tulips blooming are gorgeous but quite a luxury by my thinking. I will appreciate tulip plantings even more in the future
Hey there Lynn!
In response to a comment above, we had the opportunity to visit Cheekwood Garden in Nashville towards the end of tulip season this spring. The hours that we spend there are usually a favorite part of out visit with no matter what season. We were amazed (and horrified) to learn that they plant many thousands of tulips each fall to ensure a succession of blooms each spring. Then, because the “rebloom” rate for tulips of roughly 75% doesn’t meet their requirements, they pull every bulb prior to summer and either compost or give them away to the garden volunteers. Those great swaths of tulips blooming are gorgeous but quite a luxury by my thinking. I will appreciate tulip plantings even more in the future
Hey there Lynn!
In response to a comment above, we had the opportunity to visit Cheekwood Garden in Nashville towards the end of tulip season this spring. The hours that we spend there are usually a favorite part of out visit with no matter what season. We were amazed (and horrified) to learn that they plant many thousands of tulips each fall to ensure a succession of blooms each spring. Then, because the “rebloom” rate for tulips of roughly 75% doesn’t meet their requirements, they pull every bulb prior to summer and either compost or give them away to the garden volunteers. Those great swaths of tulips blooming are gorgeous but quite a luxury by my thinking. I will appreciate tulip plantings even more in the future
Well!! I was so taken by your quintessential details – and then I got to the end! What a sweet surprise.
Hope this finds you well and finding joy in all the details around you.
Thank you from Tom!
Well!! I was so taken by your quintessential details – and then I got to the end! What a sweet surprise.
Hope this finds you well and finding joy in all the details around you.
Thank you from Tom!
Well!! I was so taken by your quintessential details – and then I got to the end! What a sweet surprise.
Hope this finds you well and finding joy in all the details around you.
Thank you from Tom!