Beaming Down and Holding Up
Volume XXII, Issue 40
A meeting was held yesterday morning at my Saintonge apartment with the architect and the Syndic to discuss why and how they managed to destroy ALL of the built-in cabinetry, including the massive desk that I had designed and built in 2008, costing a pretty penny then, and would cost an even prettier penny now.
I cried again when I entered my apartment of 27 years as it’s in a state of affairs of which I could never have dreamed. The 17th-century beams, and the ones added later, are fully exposed—the reason the work is being done to replace them with steel beams in order to hold up the two floors above it.
What’s even sadder is the loss of the original wood beams. I got curious and thought this might interest you, as well…to learn more about France and her beams, oak or chestnut or pine, exposed or not. I did learn once from an appraiser that exposing the beams increases the value of the property, while painting them reduces the value!
Beams used in French architecture during the 17th- and 18th-centuries were both a crucial structural as well as a decorative feature, particularly in buildings like châteaux, manor houses, rural cottages, and urban residences. These beams, primarily made from oak or chestnut, were integral in supporting ceilings and roofs in traditional timber-framed construction.
Here’s an overview of the beams from these centuries, including their types, uses, and artistic significance.
1. Materials Used
– Oak: Oak was the most common wood used for beams during this period due to its strength and durability. It resists rot and pests, making it ideal for long-lasting structures. Oak beams could last for centuries, and many historic buildings in France still feature original oak beams.
– Chestnut: Chestnut was also commonly used, especially in regions where oak was less available. Chestnut wood is resistant to splitting, making it well-suited for structural use.
– Pine: Although less common in grander buildings, pine was sometimes used in rural or lower-status buildings.
2. Techniques and Joinery
– Traditional Timber Framing: The method used for creating buildings often involved a timber frame in which the beams were a key structural element. In French, this method is known as “colombage.” The timber frame was filled with materials like wattle and daub or brick.
– Mortise and Tenon Joints: One of the primary techniques for joining beams was the mortise and tenon joint, where a protruding tenon fits snugly into a mortise (hole) cut into another beam. This provided both stability and flexibility to the structure.
– Pegged Construction: Wooden pegs were used to secure the joints, ensuring a strong and secure bond between beams. These pegs were often left exposed, adding to the aesthetic value of the beams.
3. Beams in Château and Grand Homes
– In the grand homes and châteaux of the French nobility, beams were often elaborately carved and adorned with decorative motifs. In 17th-century baroque architecture, beams might be left exposed and richly decorated with carvings, such as floral motifs, coats of arms, or religious symbols.
– Exposed Ceiling Beams: In more rural settings or traditional urban homes, the beams were often left exposed. The contrast between the dark wood beams and the whitewashed or plastered ceilings became a classic look in French interiors. These exposed beams gave homes a rustic and stately appearance.
– Polychrome Beams: In some cases, the beams were painted, often in vivid colors. Red, blue, and green pigments were sometimes applied, with more decorative themes like fleur-de-lis, heraldic symbols, or religious iconography.
4. Architectural Styles and Influence
– Louis XIII Style (early 17th-century): During the reign of Louis XIII, French architecture began to evolve towards a more formal, classical style. Beams were still used extensively, but in grander homes, they were sometimes concealed behind more elaborate plasterwork ceilings, reflecting Italian and Renaissance influences.
– Louis XIV Style (mid-late 17th-century): Under the reign of Louis XIV (the “Sun King”), French architecture embraced even greater opulence and symmetry, leading to the construction of buildings like the Palace of Versailles. In such royal buildings, visible timber beams were often concealed or entirely absent in favor of more sophisticated ceiling treatments, such as painted or gilded plasterwork.
– Rural and Vernacular Architecture: In rural settings, timber-framed buildings were more common, and the tradition of exposed beams continued. This rustic style, particularly in Normandy and Brittany, used large, heavy beams to support roofs, and the craftsmanship often showcased the natural beauty of the wood.
5. Conservation and Restoration
– Many buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries still survive in France, with original timber beams intact. These beams have often required restoration due to wear or pest damage. Traditional restoration techniques often involve using similarly aged wood or traditional methods, such as replacing only the damaged sections.
– Pest Control and Preservation: Wood-boring insects (such as termites) and rot were common challenges, so many historic beams have been treated over the years with chemicals or other preservation techniques to maintain their integrity.
6. Decorative Techniques
– Chamfering: Beams were often chamfered (having the edges beveled or cut at an angle) to soften their appearance and create a more refined look.
– Carving: Skilled woodworkers would sometimes carve patterns, such as vines, flowers, or geometric shapes, into the beams. In noble or ecclesiastical settings, carvings could include religious symbols or family crests.
– Gilding and Painting: In some grander settings, beams were painted or even gilded, following the opulent tastes of the time, especially in late Baroque or Rococo interiors of the 18th-century.
7. Regional Variations
– Normandy: Normandy is especially famous for its half-timbered houses, which feature exposed beams both inside and out. Here, beams were often dark-stained or painted, and the timber frames often formed decorative patterns in the façade.
– Provence: In the warmer southern regions like Provence, timber beams were sometimes left rougher and less decorative, reflecting the simpler, more rustic architecture of the Mediterranean region.
– Brittany: Brittany, like Normandy, saw extensive use of timber framing, with beams playing a decorative as well as structural role. These beams often featured geometric designs carved into their surface, especially in the larger manor houses of the Breton gentry.
8. Changes in the 18th-Century
– Neoclassicism: By the late 18th-century, under the influence of Neoclassicism (especially during the reign of Louis XVI), there was a shift towards more restrained and formal architectural elements. The use of exposed timber beams diminished in fashionable homes and palaces, as smooth plaster ceilings with classical motifs became more popular. In rural and provincial homes, however, exposed beams continued to be used.
– Evolution in Construction: Towards the end of the 18th-century, the introduction of iron elements in construction also began to reduce the reliance on timber beams in some urban settings.
9. Famous Examples
– Château de Versailles: While the main palace is known for its gilded opulence and classical architecture, some of the ancillary buildings and stables still show traditional beam construction methods from the 17th-century.
– Le Marais, Paris: This district of Paris is known for its well-preserved 17th-century buildings, many of which feature traditional timber beams, especially in their upper stories, showcasing urban residential architecture of the period.
– La Maison de Jeanne d’Arc, Rouen: In the medieval and Renaissance sections of cities like Rouen, you can still see many well-preserved examples of 17th-century timber framing.
In conclusion, beams in 17th and 18th-century France were not only crucial structural elements, but also played a significant role in the aesthetic and decorative traditions of the time. The choice of wood, the craftsmanship, and the stylistic evolution of beam use reflected broader changes in French architecture, from rural cottages to the grandeur of Louis XIV’s reign.
And now…steel. Ugh.
A bientôt,
Adrian Leeds
The Adrian Leeds Group®
Adrian on a monitor for a taping of House Hunters International
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I would have cried also. Heartbreaking. Take off the top two floors would have been my response.