Auvergne Farmhouses

Auvergne farmhouse tended to be built with local materials. Foundations made up of local stone. A distinguishing feature of the Auvergne farmhouse is the Lauze or lava roof tiles.

The attic was generally used as a drying area, but many owners have converted them into large rooms / bedrooms.

Local differences between Auvergne Farmhouses

• Cantal houses: typically build using Schist & Granite. Roofs tiled with Lauze or grey Lava tiles. Some farmhouses in the Cantal boast an attached tower or a pigeonnier. The towers are round or square in shape.
• Basalt farmhouses: build using basalt stone with Lauze or flat tile roofs.

Pise farmhouses: typical agricultural accommodation made of Pisé (rammed earth). Farming and breeding animals was the main activity of the original inhabitants of this type of property.

These Auvergne properties are often rectangular in shape and orientated around a square front farmyard. The farmyard is originally closed, a wide wooden gate allowing access. Nowadays most courtyards have vanished and garden have replaced them.

The living area is often located on the first floor of these French traditional houses, often accessed via outside stone stairs. The front façade of the farmhouse is made of stone and Pisé (rammed earth). Windows are average in size but would typically have small window-panes.

The roof structure is made of wood, it is upheld by the front façade walls.

As in is typical of French rural architecture, the kitchen is the largest room in this traditional property. Originally it was also the only room in the house to be heated. A well located in the garden often provided the fresh water.

Along with the house, a large piece of land is often attached, as well as a number of outbuildings.