French colonial architecture#In the United States

{{Short description|Style of architecture used in French colonies}}

File:Presidential Palace of Vietnam.jpg, in Hanoi, was built between 1900 and 1906 to host the French Governor-General of Indochina.]]

French colonial architecture includes several styles of architecture used by the French during colonization. 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 Oceania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mqup.ca/architecture-and-urbanism-in-the-french-atlantic-empire-products-9780773553149.php|title=Architecture and Urbanism in the French Atlantic Empire | McGill-Queen's University Press|website=www.mqup.ca|access-date=2020-03-31|archive-date=2020-01-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131024134/https://www.mqup.ca/architecture-and-urbanism-in-the-french-atlantic-empire-products-9780773553149.php|url-status=live}}

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,{{when?|date=January 2025}} the new generation{{which?|date=January 2025}} of local authorities has somewhat "embraced" the architecture and has begun to advertise it.[http://www.eng.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/abouthcmcity/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?CategoryId=10&ItemID=5440&PublishedDate=2005-03-13T11:19:09Z/ About Ho Chi Minh City] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213010036/http://www.eng.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/abouthcmcity/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?CategoryId=10&ItemID=5440&PublishedDate=2005-03-13T11:19:09Z/ |date=2017-12-13 }}. eng.hochiminhcity.gov.vn.

In Africa

= French Equatorial Africa =

In the former French Equatorial Africa, Brazzaville, the capital of Congo, and Douala, the largest city of Cameroon have many French colonial buildings.

File:Hôtel du Commissaire Général du Gouvernement à Brazzaville (Congo et Dépendances).jpg| The headquarters for the French Commissioner General in Brazzaville (circa 1896–1910)

File:Batiment colonial d'époque abritant les services de La Chambre de Commerce d'Industrie de des Mines du Cameroun;.JPG|The Chambre of Commerce in Douala, Cameroon

File:Palais de justice a Douala.JPG|The Palace of Justice in Douala

File:Ancienne résidence du chef de circonscription.jpg|The former residence of the French regional governor in Douala

= French North Africa =

19th and early 20th-century French colonial architecture is typical of the European districts in former French North African countries including most Algerian and Tunisian cities, as well as Casablanca, Morocco. In the mid-20th-century, Algiers became an important center for Modernist architecture.

File:Notre Dame d'Afrique2.jpg|Notre-Dame d'Afrique basilica, Algiers, Algeria

File:P1020151 (9728164447).jpg|Apartment building in Casablanca, Morocco

File:Algeri04.jpg|Apartment building in Algiers, Algeria

File:Alger Immeuble rue didouche PB280026.JPG|Apartment building on Rue Didouche-Mourad, Algiers, Algeria (formerly Rue Michelet)

File:Algiers The Rue d'Isly (GRI).jpg|Rue d'Isly in Algiers (early 20th century)

File:Alger Lycée Bugeaud.jpg|Lycée Bugeaud in Algiers (early 20th century)

= French West Africa =

French colonial architecture is found in many large and mid-sized former French West African cities, with a particularly significant concentration in the former capital city, Saint-Louis, Senegal.

File:Colonial Saint Louis.jpg|Rue Lebon in Saint Louis (circa 1900)

File:Saint-Louis maisons coloniales.jpg|Colonial houses in Saint Louis

In Asia

File:Metropole la terrasse.jpg with Art Nouveau and colonial designs]]

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.

= Cambodia =

  • In Phnom Penh:
  • Central Market
  • Royal Railway Station
  • Hotel Le Royal
  • National Library of Cambodia
  • Villa Picturesque{{Cite web|url=https://www.goingcolonial.com/top-10-colonial-buildings-phnom-penh/|title=Top 10 Colonial Buildings in Phnom Penh|date=2018-09-12|website=Going Colonial|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-15|archive-date=2019-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013543/https://www.goingcolonial.com/top-10-colonial-buildings-phnom-penh/|url-status=live}}
  • [http://www.canbypublications.com/phnompenh/phnom-penh-architecture.htm Unesco Sino-Khmer Villa]

File:Central.Post.Office.Poste.Phnom.Penh.1.Cambodge.jpg|Phnom Penh Post Office

File:2009-09-07 09-09 Phnom Penh 034 Train Station-edit.jpg|Phnom Penh Royal Railway Station

File:LeRoyal PP.jpg|Raffles Hotel Le Royal

File:2016 Phnom Penh, Biuro UNESCO (03).jpg|Phnom Penh UNESCO office

File:Disused, but still fairly pristine (14265405650).jpg|Railway station in Battambang

File:2016 Kampot, Muzeum Prowincji Kampot (06).jpg|Building in Kampot

=China=

  • In Beijing:
  • {{ill|Banque de l'Indochine Building, Beijing|zh|东方汇理银行北京分行}}
  • In Tianjin:
  • {{ill|French Municipal Administration Council Building, Tianjin|zh|法国公议局旧址}}
  • {{ill|Banque de l'Indochine Building, Tianjin|zh|天津东方汇理银行大楼}}
  • In Shanghai:
  • {{Ill|Shanghai Museum of Arts And Crafts|zh|上海工艺美术博物馆}}
  • Banque de l'Indochine Building, Shanghai
  • Saint Joseph's Church, Shanghai
  • In Wuhan:
  • {{ill|Banque de l'Indochine Building, Hankou|zh|东方汇理银行大楼 (汉口)}}
  • In Guangzhou
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Shamian Island
  • In Zhanjiang:
  • {{illm|Former sites of the Residence of the French Commissioner and the French Army Commandantura of Guangzhouwan|zh|广州湾法国公使署旧址和法军指挥部旧址|fr|Ancien Bureau du Commissaire français et ancien Quartier général de l'Armée française à Kouang-Tchéou-Wan}}
  • {{illm|Our Lady of Victory Cathedral, Zhanjiang|zh|维多尔天主教堂|fr|Église Notre-Dame-des-Victoires (Kouang-Tchéou-Wan)}}
  • {{illm|Naozhou Lighthouse|zh|硇洲灯塔|fr|Phare de Nǎozhōu}}

File:原北京东方汇理银行.JPG|Banque de l'Indochine Building, Beijing

File:20150223-法国公议局旧址.jpg|French Municipal Administration Council Building in Tianjin

File:天津东方汇理银行大楼1.jpg|Banque de l'Indochine Building, Tianjin

File:东方汇理银行大楼正立面2021 (1).jpg|Banque de l'Indochine Building, Shanghai

File:Saint-Joseph's church, Shanghai 1.jpg|Saint Joseph's church in Shanghai

File:French Concession building - Shanghai.JPG|An apartment at No.142 West Jianguo Road, Shanghai

File:Shamian Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel 20221223-A.jpg|Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Shamian Island, Guangzhou

File:Guangzhou Shamian 2012.11.15 10-05-31.jpg|Banque de l'Indochine Building in Shamian Island, Guangzhou

File:Zhanjiang Guangzhouwan Faguo Gongshishu Jiuzhi he Fajun Zhihuibu Jiuzhi 2014.02.27 09-05-29.jpg|Former French Commissioner Residence in Zhanjiang

File:Zhanjiang Guangzhouwan Faguo Gongshishu Jiuzhi he Fajun Zhihuibu Jiuzhi 2014.02.27 09-09-19.jpg|Former French Army Commandantura in Zhanjiang

File:Cathedral of St. Victor.jpg|Our Lady of Victory Cathedral in Zhanjiang

=Laos=

File:French Colonial House in Luangprabang (1490843210).jpg|A typical colonial house in Luang Prabang

File:VillaColVientiane.jpg| A French-style Arts and Crafts house in Vientiane

= 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:

File:Hanoï - Palais du Gouverneur Général.jpg |Hanoi, Presidential Palace

File:Hanoi cau long bien.jpg|Hanoi, Long Biên Bridge

File:Exposition Hanoï 1902 - Grand Palais.jpg|Hanoi, Grand Palais built for the Hanoi Exhibition 1902-1903, destroyed during WWII

File:Hanoi, Vietnam (12036416576).jpg|Hanoi, Tonkin Palace, formerly housing the French governor of Tonkin

File:Hanoi Opera House, 24 December 2016.jpg |Hanoi Opera House modeled on the Palais Garnier in Hanoi

File:Ngân hàng Nhà nước - 2022-09-02 03.jpg|Hanoi, State Bank of Vietnam headquarters in art-deco style

File:Bâtiments_172.jpg|Hanoi, National Museum of Vietnamese History, formerly the first École française d'Extrême-Orient

File:Hotel Metropole Hanoi at night.JPG|Hanoi, a corner of Hôtel Metropole

File:St._Joseph%27s_Cathedral_-_Hanoi,_Vietnam.jpg|Hanoi, St. Joseph's Cathedral resembling Notre Dame de Paris

File:Indochina Medical College.jpg|Hanoi, campus of Indochina Medical College and Université Indochinoise

File:Police station Hoan Kiem.jpg|Hanoi, a local police station in a colonial building by Hoàn Kiếm lake

File:Hanoi Colonial villa.jpg|Hanoi, a French villa in Ba Đình District

File:Hanoi Fatherland Front.jpg|Hanoi, a government office (Fatherland Front HQ)

File:Ópera, Ciudad Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, 2013-08-14, DD 02.JPG|Ho Chi Minh City, Municipal Theatre

File:Ayuntamiento, Ciudad Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, 2013-08-14, DD 05.JPG|Ho Chi Minh City Hall

File:Ho Chi Minh City, Central Post Office, 2020-01 CN-01.jpg|Ho Chi Minh City, Central Post Office

File:Basílica de Nuestra Señora, Ciudad Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, 2013-08-14, DD 03.JPG|Ho Chi Minh City, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

File:Nhà thờ Cha Tam.jpg|Ho Chi Minh City, {{ill|Saint Francis Xavier's Church, Ho Chi Minh City|fr|Église Saint-François-Xavier (Hô Chi Minh-Ville)|vi|Nhà thờ Cha Tam|lt=Saint Francis Xavier's Church}}

File:Một góc trường Trần Đai Nghĩa ngày nay.jpg|Ho Chi Minh City, Trần Đại Nghĩa High School for the Gifted

File:Dalat_Palace_Hotel.jpg|Dalat Palace Hotel

File:03-OPERA HOUSE.jpg|Haiphong Opera House

In North America

= 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 in Quebec 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.Bigolin, Steve. [https://archive.today/20130122051617/http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2005/02/28/neighbors/neighbors01.txt "The Landmarks of Barb City"], Daily Chronicle, 28 February 2005. Retrieved 15 February 2007.

File:Old Quebec (8145449190).jpg|Quebec City presents probably the finest example of urban colonial architecture in North America

File:Quebec City, Old City, Tourist.jpg|Old Quebec (City) was listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1985

File:Le Manoir de Niverville.jpg|The manoir Boucher-De Niverville, located in Trois-Rivières, in Quebec province was built in the mid-17th century

File:Château Ramezay - Montreal, Canada - DSC07372.jpg|The Château Ramezay, is one of the best preserved mansion in Montreal, built in 1705.

File:07175 Maison François-Jacquet-Dit-Langevin - 001.JPG|The Maison François-Jacquet-Dit-Langevin, located in the heart of Old Quebec, was built in 1675.

File:WTMTL T29 DSC00061.JPG|LeBer-LeMoyne House, was an important trading post when it was built in the late 17th century. It is today in historical museum of Montreal.

File:Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec 01.jpg|Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec, started in 1647, is the oldest church in the Americas north of the Spanish colonies in Florida and New Mexico.

= United States =

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.Gamble, Robert Historic architecture in Alabama: a guide to styles and types, 1810-1930, page 180. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: The University of Alabama Press, 1990. {{ISBN|0-8173-1134-3}}. 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 Creole plantation house.{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/louisiana/architecture.htm |title=French Creole Architecture |access-date=2008-08-02 |work=Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation |publisher=National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places |archive-date=2008-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621040422/http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/travel/louisiana/architecture.htm |url-status=live }}

File:UConvent2003Mbtrama.jpg|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.

File:Peyroux House (French Quarter, New Orleans).jpg|Gabriel Peyroux House in New Orleans, built c. 1780, is an example of briquette-entre-poteaux (brick-between-post) construction.

File:BStJ1784PlantationHouseFrontOak.jpg|Lorreins Plantation, aka Old Spanish Customs House, in New Orleans, built c. 1784

File:Destrehan Manor House 20070706.jpg|Destrehan Plantation near Destrehan, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, built c. 1787, portions were altered in 1840 to reflect the Greek Revival style.

File:Maison Bequette-Ribault.jpg|Bequette-Ribault House in Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, c. 1789 is an example of poteaux-en-terre construction.

File:Bolduc House and Detached Kitchen in Ste Genevieve MO.jpg|Louis Bolduc House Museum, in Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, c. 1792 is an example of poteaux-sur-sol construction.

File:Parlange Plantation, State Highway 93, New Roads vicinity (Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana).jpg|Parlange Plantation House in Mix, Louisiana, was built c. 1754 and is an early example of French Colonial architecture in the United States.

See also

{{Portal|France|Architecture}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Architecture in the United States}}

{{French Colonial Architecture in Vietnam}}

{{African architecture styles}}

Category:New France