Gothic Architecture: France

Maria Czaralene R. Pajel Jona Nicole G. Baybay 2-Architecture

Influences: Geographical
France is divided into two parts by the River Loire with the Franks on the North and the Romance races on the South, Architecture was influenced not only by geographical position but also by racial differences.

Influences: Geological
The excellent building stone found near Caen aided in the development of the Northern Gothic style. In the mountainous districts of Auvergne the use of volcanic stone gave a rich chromatic appearance to the buildings.

Influences: Climatic
The comparatively dull climate of the North are permitted and even invited which creates an extension of large traceried windows to light the vast interiors.

Architectural Character
Evolution of styles leading to Gothic architecture

Architectural Character
The term Gothic was a term of re-approach of Classic Line style Gothic evolved from Romanesque architecture and is mainly distinguished by the introduction and general used of the Pointed Arch

Architectural Character
The Gothic style in France L Architecture Ogivale originated in the royal domain of the Ile de France. The point of departure of Gothic architecture is La Voute Sur Croisse dOgives A vaulting framework of intersecting stone pointed arch ribs which support thin stone panels. The ribs were constructed as a permanent framework and thin stone panels are supported by a movable centre (Circe)

Architectural Character
The vault pressures operated both downwards by the weight of the stone , through the action of the law of gravity and outward force of the arch Voussoirs. Voussoirs- The truncated wedge shaped blocks forming an arch

Architectural Character
Both pressures were collected by the meeting of the ribs at the angles of vaulting compartments and resultant oblique and pressure was then counteracted and transmitted to ground by Buttresses and Flying Buttresses weighed by Pinnacles.

Architectural Character
Buttresses - A mass of masonry built against a wall to resist the pressure of an arch or vault Flying Buttresses - An arch starting from a detached pier and abutting against a wall to take the thrust of the vaulting.

Architectural Character
*Pinnacles - A small turrel-like termination on the top of buttresses often ornamented with bunches of foliage called Crockets *Crockets - A projection block or spur of stone carved with foliage to decorate the raking lines formed by the angles of spires and canopies *Finial - The upper portion of a pinnacle, bench end

Architectural Character
*Gargoyle - A projecting water sprout grotesquely carved to throw off water from the roof. *Clear Storey - Above the triforium to light the nave composed of a range of windows *Triforium -A blind story is the space beneath the sloping roof over the aisle vault and enclosed on the nave side by a series of arches

Architectural Character
The Gothic system of buttresses also carried implications - Walls were now less use as supports - Windows stretched from one buttress to another (provide full scope of the use of glowing stained glass as chief interior decoration Traceried)

Architectural Character
*Tracery - The ornamental pattern work in stone filling the upper part of the Gothic window. *Place Tracery - Appears to have been cut out of a plate stone with special reference to the shape of the lights *Bar Tracery - Designed principally for the pleasing forms produced by combinations of geometrical figures.

Architectural Character
*Chevet - A circular or polygonal apse when surrounded by an ambulatory of which are chapels *Ambulatory - The cloister or covered passage around the east end of the church, behind the altar *Nave - The central aisle of the church

Architectural Character
*Aisle - Lateral divisions parallel with the nave in a basilica of a church. *Transept - The part of a cruciform church, projecting at right angles to the main building. *Chapels - Place of worship, in churches, in honour of particular saints

Architectural Character
1. Primaire (12th Century) - Sometimes called A Lancettes - A period distinguished by pointed arches and geometrical traceried windows, exemplifying the change or transition from Romanesque.

Architectural Character
2. Secondaire (13th Century) - Also known as Rayonnant - A period characterized by circular windows with whell tracery

Architectural Character
3. Tertiaire (14th to 16th Century) -Also Known as Flamboyant - Flame-like window tracery or free flowing tracery.

Examples of Gothic Architecture: France

1. Churches and Cathedrals - Purely religious and ecclesiastical. - Plans were different from England Churches and Cathedrals - Part of the life of the townspeople and jostled their houses shoulder to shoulder. - Interiors are by means of painted glass and Statuary at the exterior.

Churches and Cathedrals: Notre Dame, Paris

- One of the oldest French Gothic Cathedrals - The plan is on a bent axial line, with wide nave and double aisles, transepts of small projection practically in line with the aisles, a notable chevet with double aisles surrounding the chapels between buttresses. - Interior has a nave arcade with cylindrical columns and corinthianesque capitals. *Fleche- a slender wooden spire rising from a roof.

Churches and Cathedrals: Notre Dame, Paris

Churches and Cathedrals

Bourges Cathedral

Reims Cathedral Amiens Cathedral Charters Cathedral

Examples of Gothic Architecture: France

2. Fortified Towns - A secular gothic buildings

Fortified Towns: Carcassone and Aigves Mortes

- Has a double wall with fifty towers and moat still give an idea of a mediaeval fortress town entered through two fortified gateways guarded by machicolations, drawbridge and porticullis.

Examples of Gothic Architecture: France

3. Hotel de Ville - Few, little municipal-life under the feudal system, communal business was probably carried on in the market place or in cloisters and churches.

Examples of Gothic Architecture: France

4. Palais de Justice - The original great halls in which Kings and nobles dispensed justice to their vassals .

Examples of Gothic Architecture: France

5. Castles - Generally built on mounds above rivers to command valleys and had thick walls and small windows to resist attacks. - Were adapted to make more convenient residences.

Castles: Chateau de Pierrefonds

- Stands on a rocky height above the village and its cliff like walls rise sheer from the ground and has eight massive round towers have machicolations and battlemented parapets surrounding an irregular courtyard .

Examples of Gothic Architecture: France

6. Country Houses - A transformed fortified castles known as Chateux

Country Houses Chateau d O Mortree

- Designed with circular towers , ogee door heads , mullioned windows, traceried parapets and steep roof with dormer windows

Examples of Gothic Architecture: France

7. Town Houses - Erected when french nobles ceased to be feudal lords in fortified castles and erected houses, known today as hotels, planned as a country, a round court with an elaborate faade to the street.

Town Houses: House of Jacques

-one of the finest town residences in France built by a merchant Prince, partly on the town ramparts, round a central court and has seven turret stairs. *Turret - Small towers often containing stairs and forming special features.

Town Houses: House of Jacques

*Oriel

Window -A window corbelled out from the face of a wall by means of projecting stones *Ambry -A cupboard or recess in a church and contain Sacred vessel *Ambo -A raised pulpit from which the epistle gospel Were read *Apse -The circular or multiangular termination of a church sanctuary *Boss - Plough share twist

Town Houses: Hotel de Cluny, Paris

- The chapel stands above an arcade which supports on its central pier and oriel window of pleasing proportions with Flamboyant tracery, crockets and finials

FIN