Hi all,

I have a few questions about French barns (specifically those in Normandy). I have a few pictures but I would like to know a few specifics, if you guys can help.

Did the majority of the barn doors have a rectangular shape or did they have a semi-circular shape at the top? What is the interior like? Is the ground covered in dirt, hay/silage, or just planks? Was a lot of wood used (in the construction)or was the majority stone? And back in 1944 what would the roof be covered with (black shingles or red ones)?

Slightly of topic, but what is the most common type of tree in that area?
If you could show me some pictures that would be great!!!

Thanks for your help!
Regards,

hi buddy,
i found these normandy house pics on this site quite a while ago, not sure who to credit, but for discussion purpose i hope they help:





though this is a house, a barn would likely follow the same construction materials and methods.

as far as round top or square top doors, i'd think either would work as these buildings were built depending on the skill of local labour, though a round top looks way nicer.

i think if the barn was for animals it would not have a wood floor (too slippery) but if it was for agricultural storage (hay shed, etc) than a wood floor would be ideal to keep grain dry and rodents out (somewhat, they get in anyway). cheers, bd.

Hi Vlad

Here are some views showing barns in Normandy :

This one is made of bricks :














Another one :


You can find some wooden one as well :



I guess that doors are usually like these :


You can notice that there's a smaller door cut out in the left-hand flap

HTH

Frenchy

Hi again,

Thank you guys for these great pictures, I had a few of the exterior but these are great shots of the interiors and materials!

I have a few more questions if you can help. If a paratrooper hit the roof would he have enough strength (speed) to break through it (it seems possible)? And what is the best way to make hinges for the doors?

Thanks again!!!

definently if his parachute didn't open

I think you could use some Evergreen strips. These hinges are rather basic...









HTH

Frenchy

Hello there,

Just a thought..... is the paratrooper British/Canadian or American? The construction materials differ somewhat between the Commonwealth and US sectors, limestone in the former, granite and masse (mud) in the latter.
The timber framed buildings are generally associated with the Pays d'Auge (east of Caen) , so really only appropriate if your para is British or Canadian, and a bit mis-dropped -there were plenty........
As to the "penetrative power" of a paratrooper, it would also depend on the age and condition of the timber, I guess.
Finally, if you can't be bothered to make loads of tiles, sheets of corrugated iron were (and still are) regularly used for roofing.

Hope this is of some use and doesn't sound too pedantic.

Cheers,

Sean

PS Is the house in Bruce D's pictures the one at le Carillon?