There are several traditional types of houses in
our Dordogne region, mainly built between 1750 and 1900. To each social class its architectural style,
hence displaying its status through the construction of the property. There are still some nice examples of these
various buildings throughout Périgord.
1. The
« borderie » comes from
the french word « bordier »
who lived in it. The bordier was a
sharecropper, tenant farmer who gave a share of the crops to the landlord, in
exchange for accommodation in the borderie.
This building was very basic, somewhat secluded at the end of the vast
land and did not offer any outbuildings.
2. The
« longère » included the
main room and an attached stable or barn, all on the same level and under one
roof. The windows and openings all faced
the same side of the property. This type
of Périgord building usually had a large plot of land between 5 and 10 hectares
or the approximate equivalent of 12 to 24 acres. Many longeres have been restored in Dordogne
and can be seen throughout the region as private homes.
3. The
farmer’s house or the wine grower’s house was built on two levels. Access to the
first floor was possible via outdoors stairs covered with an awning supported
by pillars. The ground floor served as a stock room, a workshop or even a shop.
This type of house could also benefit
from outbuildings such as barns, stables, a bread oven and a courtyard (enclosed
or not).
4. The
« maison de maître »
belonged to the landowner and was usually built in town. With a symmetrical
architectural design, often on two levels, this massive property indicated
wealth and the upper social status of its owner. As a proper estate, the maison de maître was often
surrounded, nearby, by agricultural outbuildings and accommodation for the farmers
and workers hired by the owner. There are many examples of beautiful well-preserved
maisons de maître in Dordogne towns and villages.
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