Tiles: Emblems of the elegance of Norman bourgeois houses

Tiles, a decorative and functional element, occupy a special place in the history of Norman bourgeois houses. The evolution of its use over the centuries reflects changes in architectural trends and technological advances.
Originally, in the modest thatched cottages of Normandy, the floors were simply made of beaten earth. However, the adoption of herringbone brick and terracotta tiles on the ground floor, and sometimes even on the first floor, marks a first significant evolution. These materials were not only more durable, but also a status symbol.

In the eighteenth century, the use of tiles became more widespread in all Norman homes. The tiles, initially modest in size (about 10x10 cm), quickly diversified in size (12 or 16 cm on each side) and shape, adopting both square and hexagonal shapes.

The Renaissance introduced polychrome tiles, with the appearance of coloured patterns on a white background. Like the famous Delft tiles adorned with cobalt blue, these tiles are becoming popular decorative elements. Although fragile, they were sometimes used for flooring, but more often to beautify walls and the contours of fireplaces.

The nineteenth century marks a revolution in the production of tiles in France, with the emergence of large factories, such as that of Desvres in the Pas-de-Calais. These factories produced a wide variety of patterns, especially geometric, which were very much in vogue in bourgeois homes of the time. While today these tiles are often made in small workshops, they were once mass-produced to meet the high demand of opulent homes.
Tiles are therefore more than just a floor or wall covering; It tells the story of a craft, an aesthetic, and a social class. The Norman bourgeois houses, with their richly decorated tiles, bear witness to a rich architectural heritage and a relentless quest for elegance and refinement.