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Architecture Historical buildings

The Old Presbytery – Le vieux presbytère

136_old_presbyteryToday we participated in a series of private visits organised by a group called “Maisons paysannes de France” (Country Houses of France). This was the last, an old presbytery in Feings, most of which was built in the 18th century, though some parts are much older. The weather was perfect, which helped!
Aujourd’hui nous avons profité d’une série de visites privées organisée par l’association “Maisons paysannes de France”. Le vieux presbytère à Feings était la dernière visite. Les bâtiments datent surtout du 18ème siècle mais certaines parties sont beaucoup plus anciennes. Le temps était parfait, ce qui a bien contribué au plaisir.

4 replies on “The Old Presbytery – Le vieux presbytère”

The term ‘country house’ has a very particular meaning in English, at least for architectural historians. The general public is more vaguely aware of it. A country house is a grand country retreat on an estate, so for example, Chenonceau is technically a country house. ‘Maisons paysannes’ translates more accurately as ‘rural vernacular houses’. And just in case you are interested, the term ‘stately home’ also has a very particular meaning. It’s rarely used by architectural historians, who prefer ‘country house’, and is frequently misapplied by journalists and the general public. To be a stately home the building has to be the main country residence of an aristocrat and contain ‘state rooms’ ie rooms that are intended for the monarch to stay in. So Cheverny could be called a ‘stately home’, but Chenonceau doesn’t qualify.

Thank you, Susan. As I wrote “country house”, I wasn’t sure if it was really correct but I certainly didn’t know that it was a country retreat on an estate. Actually, the presbytery isn’t even a “maison paysanne” strictly speakinng I gather that it means an old house (how old I don”t know) in the country so I guess it is a “rural vernacular house”. Our house doesn’t qualify because it’s urban.

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