PRESENTATION OLD HOUSES

OLD HOUSES IN FRANCE (MURAT)

Murat is an old village (before year 1000) protected by the mountain.

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Murat in France

Cantal : biggest volcano of Europe (60 km of diameter)

MURAT

Altitude of Murat : 1000 m

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Murat : a natural village

Murat is built with natural materials : - stones - wood - plants

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Murat and Volcano

Walls (outside)

BASALTIC ORGANS

Volcanic rock is the basic material for the construction of old houses in the Cantal

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Murat and Volcano

Walls (inside)

BASALTIC ORGANS

Volcanic rock is the basic material for the construction of old houses in the Cantal

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Murat and Volcano

Doors AND Windows

BASALTIC ORGANS

Lintel

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Murat and old houses

Walls are : - made of stones (basalt and trachyte) and rubbles - very thick (60cm to 100 cm) - with small openings - with joints with lime Windows and doors : - Around windows and doors, there were cutstones, easy to handle - small windows and doors without light Consequences : - high thermal inertia - often isolated from the inside - houses very long to heat and very long to cool down - houses with few ligth ( sun has difficulties to go home)

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Murat and Volcano

lauzes

ROOF

Phonolite stone

Lauzes are very sturdy but also very heavy which requires a very sturdy wooden frame

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Murat and Volcano

ROOF

Slate roof

Slate

Slate roof is very sturdy but also heavy which requires a sturdy wooden frame

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Murat and Forest

Examples of sturdy wooden frame

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Murat and Agriculture

Thatched roof

ROOF

Rye tide

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Murat and old houses

Roofs are : - made of stones (Lauzes or Slates) or thatch If it’s made of Lauzes or Slates : - the roof is very heavy - it needs a very sturdy wooden frame - highly resistant to hail, snow and fire - very bad fort thermal isolation, and in summer it heats up a lot If it’s made of thatch : - the roof is very light - very good isolation - it is becoming rare - it is fire sensitive Consequences of climat : - steep sloop (because of the snow) - strong frame

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Murat and old houses

Inside - large chimney (called « cantou ») - wooden beams

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