French colonial architecture includes several styles of architecture used by the French during colonization. Many former French colonies, especially those in Southeast Asia, have previously been reluctant to promote their colonial architecture as an asset for tourism; however, in recent times, the new generation of local authorities has somewhat "embraced" the architecture and has begun to advertise it.[1] French Colonial architecture has a long history, beginning in North America in 1604 and being most active in the Western Hemisphere (Caribbean, Guiana, Canada, Louisiana) until the 19th century, when the French turned their attention more to Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.[2]
In Canada
French settlements in Canada date back to the mid-16th century until the French defeat in Seven Years' War where New France was annexed by the British Crown in 1763 as a result of the Treaty of Paris. The settlements in the regions were extensive, hence the abundant architectural legacy from that period shows itself particularly inQuebec City but also in the city of Montreal, which has a significant Canadien population. Most buildings constructed during the French colonial period utilized a heavy timber frame of logs installed vertically on a sill, poteaux-sur-sol, or into the earth, poteaux-en-terre. An infill of lime mortar or clay mixed with small stones (pierrotage) or a mixture of mud, moss, and animal hair (bousillage) was used to pack between the logs. Many times the infill would later be replaced with brick. This method of construction was used in the Illinois Country as well as Louisiana. General characteristics of a French Colonial dwelling included a raised basement which would support the floor of the home's primary living quarters. Exterior stairs were another common element; the stairs would often climb up to a distinctive, full-length veranda or "gallery", on a home's façade. The roof over the veranda was normally part of the overall roof. French Colonial roofs were either a steep hipped roof, with a dormer or dormers, or a side-gabled roof. The veranda or gallery was often accessed via French doors. French Colonial homes in the American South commonly had stuccoed exterior walls.[3]
Quebec City presents probably the finest example of urban colonial architecture in North America
French Colonial was one of four domestic architectural styles that developed during the colonial period in what would become the United States. The other styles were Colonial Georgian, Dutch Colonial, and Spanish Colonial. French Colonial developed in the settlements of the Illinois Country and French Louisiana. It is believed to have been primarily influenced by the building styles of French Canada and the Caribbean.[4] It had its beginnings in 1699 with the establishment of French Louisiana but continued to be built after Spain assumed control of the colonial territory in 1763. Styles of building that evolved during the French colonial period include the Creole cottage, Creole townhouse, and French Creoleplantation house.[5]
Ursuline Convent in New Orleans, built c. 1752. It is the oldest-surviving building from the French colonial period in New Orleans. It is an example of stuccoed brick construction.
Gabriel Peyroux House in New Orleans, built c. 1780, is an example of briquette-entre-poteaux (brick-between-post) construction.
Lorreins Plantation, aka Old Spanish Customs House, in New Orleans, built c. 1784
French colonisation of three countries in mainland Southeast Asia—Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, known as Indochina in the 19th and 20th centuries, left a lasting architectural legacy. Most French colonial buildings, now mostly transformed for public use, are located in large urban areas, namely Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Phnom Penh (Cambodia).
There are also some colonial buildings were built in China due to French concessions and other interests in the country during 19th and 20th centuries.
Vietnam
Various colonial buildings and constructions have become popular tourist destinations. Major landmarks that have become icons of cities including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City include:
French Municipal Administration Council Building in Tianjin
Banque de l'Indochine Building, Tianjin
Banque de l'Indochine Building, Shanghai
Saint Joseph's church in Shanghai
An apartment at No.142 West Jianguo Road, Shanghai
Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Shamian Island, Guangzhou
Banque de l'Indochine Building in Shamian Island, Guangzhou
Former French Commissioner Residence in Zhanjiang
Former French Army Commandantura in Zhanjiang
Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in Zhanjiang
In Africa
North Africa
19th and early 20th-century French colonial architecture is typical of the European districts of most Algerian and Tunisian cities, as well as Casablanca, Morocco. In the mid-20th-century, Algiers became an important center for Modernist architecture.
Apartment building on Rue Didouche-Mourad, Algiers, Algeria (formerly Rue Michelet)
Rue d'Isly in Algiers (early 20th century)
Lycée Bugeaud in Algiers (early 20th century)
West Africa
French colonial architecture is found in many large and mid-sized West African cities, with a particularly significant concentration in the former capital city, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
Rue Lebon in Saint Louis (circa 1900)
Colonial houses in Saint Louis
Central Africa
Brazzaville, the capital of Congo, and Douala, the largest city of Cameroon have many French colonial buildings.
The headquarters for the French Commissioner General in Brazzaville (circa 1896–1910)
The Chambre of Commerce in Douala, Cameroon
The Palace of Justice in Douala
The former residence of the French regional governor in Douala
^Gamble, Robert Historic architecture in Alabama: a guide to styles and types, 1810-1930, page 180. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: The University of Alabama Press, 1990. ISBN0-8173-1134-3.
^"French Creole Architecture". Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation. National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
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