NEW SHIPMENT Has Arrived!!

Lolo French Antiques et More

  • HOME
  • SHOP ALL
    • SHOP LOUIS >
      • Louis XIII
      • Louis XIV
      • Louis XV
      • Louis XVI
    • CASE GOODS >
      • Armoires / Bonnetieres
      • Bibliotheques / Shelving
      • Buffets
      • Chests / Commodes
      • Coffers / Trunks
      • Hall Trees
    • CLOCKS >
      • Long Case Clocks
    • LIGHTING >
      • Chandeliers
      • Lamps
      • Sconces
    • SEATING >
      • Beds / Daybeds
      • Benches / Stools
      • Chairs / Chaises / Sofas
    • TABLES >
      • Coffee Tables
      • Consoles / Sofa Tables
      • Desks
      • Dining / Farm Tables
      • Game Tables
      • Side / Occasional Tables
      • Vanities
      • Work Tables / Islands
    • WALLS >
      • Art / Tapestries
      • Mirrors
    • ET MORE >
      • Decorative / Garden Accessories
      • Food / Kitchen
      • French Pottery >
        • Confit Pots
        • Conscience Jugs / Cruches / Gargoulettes
        • Pancheon / Tian Bowls
  • NEW SHIPMENT
    • 2020 >
      • February 2020 Container
    • 2019 >
      • October 2019 Container
      • June 2019 Container
      • February 2019 Container
    • 2018 >
      • October 2018 Container
      • June 2018 Container
      • February 2018 Container
    • 2017 >
      • October 2017 Container
      • June 2017 Container
      • April 2017 Container
    • 2016 >
      • November 2016 Container
      • June 2016 Container
      • March 2016 Container
    • 2015 >
      • December 2015 Container
      • September 2015 Container
      • June 2015 Container
      • March 2015 Container
    • 2014 >
      • December 2014 Container
      • August 2014 Container
      • March 2014 Container
    • 2013 >
      • December 2013 Container
      • September 2013 Container
  • EXPLORE
    • ALLEZ ALLEZ >
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2022 Holiday List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2022 Fall List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2022 Summer List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 Fall List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 Summer List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 Spring List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 New Year's List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2020 Holiday List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The Spring List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The New Year's List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The Holiday List
    • A TO Z GLOSSARY
    • BLUEPRINT >
      • Antique French Longcase Clock
      • Your Guide To Stylish French Seating
    • FÊTES & FOLLIES >
      • The Art Of Stocking The Bar
      • Lolo's Bar Cart Cocktail Recipes
      • Lolo's Guide To Holiday Tablescapes
      • Lolo's Twelve Days Of Cocktails
      • FaLaLoloLa Holiday Pop-Up
    • FRENCH TRADITIONS
    • LOLO LOVES
    • MEDIA MENTIONS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • THREE FRENCH HOUNDS
    • TIMELINE >
      • French Furniture Periods
    • TRAVEL >
      • Lolo's Carefree Summer Getaway Through France
      • France Side Trips — Where To Go, Stay, Eat, & Explore In The South Of France
      • Lolo's Travel Tips From Our Carefree Summer Getaway
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • VISIT US
    • LET LOLO KNOW
    • TO THE TRADE
    • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • FAQs
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SALE
  • BLOG
  • 🔎 SEARCH
  • HOME
  • SHOP ALL
    • SHOP LOUIS >
      • Louis XIII
      • Louis XIV
      • Louis XV
      • Louis XVI
    • CASE GOODS >
      • Armoires / Bonnetieres
      • Bibliotheques / Shelving
      • Buffets
      • Chests / Commodes
      • Coffers / Trunks
      • Hall Trees
    • CLOCKS >
      • Long Case Clocks
    • LIGHTING >
      • Chandeliers
      • Lamps
      • Sconces
    • SEATING >
      • Beds / Daybeds
      • Benches / Stools
      • Chairs / Chaises / Sofas
    • TABLES >
      • Coffee Tables
      • Consoles / Sofa Tables
      • Desks
      • Dining / Farm Tables
      • Game Tables
      • Side / Occasional Tables
      • Vanities
      • Work Tables / Islands
    • WALLS >
      • Art / Tapestries
      • Mirrors
    • ET MORE >
      • Decorative / Garden Accessories
      • Food / Kitchen
      • French Pottery >
        • Confit Pots
        • Conscience Jugs / Cruches / Gargoulettes
        • Pancheon / Tian Bowls
  • NEW SHIPMENT
    • 2020 >
      • February 2020 Container
    • 2019 >
      • October 2019 Container
      • June 2019 Container
      • February 2019 Container
    • 2018 >
      • October 2018 Container
      • June 2018 Container
      • February 2018 Container
    • 2017 >
      • October 2017 Container
      • June 2017 Container
      • April 2017 Container
    • 2016 >
      • November 2016 Container
      • June 2016 Container
      • March 2016 Container
    • 2015 >
      • December 2015 Container
      • September 2015 Container
      • June 2015 Container
      • March 2015 Container
    • 2014 >
      • December 2014 Container
      • August 2014 Container
      • March 2014 Container
    • 2013 >
      • December 2013 Container
      • September 2013 Container
  • EXPLORE
    • ALLEZ ALLEZ >
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2022 Holiday List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2022 Fall List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2022 Summer List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 Fall List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 Summer List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 Spring List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2021 New Year's List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The 2020 Holiday List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The Spring List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The New Year's List
      • DELIGHTFUL DO'S The Holiday List
    • A TO Z GLOSSARY
    • BLUEPRINT >
      • Antique French Longcase Clock
      • Your Guide To Stylish French Seating
    • FÊTES & FOLLIES >
      • The Art Of Stocking The Bar
      • Lolo's Bar Cart Cocktail Recipes
      • Lolo's Guide To Holiday Tablescapes
      • Lolo's Twelve Days Of Cocktails
      • FaLaLoloLa Holiday Pop-Up
    • FRENCH TRADITIONS
    • LOLO LOVES
    • MEDIA MENTIONS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • THREE FRENCH HOUNDS
    • TIMELINE >
      • French Furniture Periods
    • TRAVEL >
      • Lolo's Carefree Summer Getaway Through France
      • France Side Trips — Where To Go, Stay, Eat, & Explore In The South Of France
      • Lolo's Travel Tips From Our Carefree Summer Getaway
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
    • VISIT US
    • LET LOLO KNOW
    • TO THE TRADE
    • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    • FAQs
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SALE
  • BLOG
  • 🔎 SEARCH
Picture

THE COLORFUL SHUTTERS OF FRANCE

7/3/2022

2 Comments

 
For centuries shutters have adorned everything from small pied-à-terres in Paris to the Maison Bourgeois of local villages. Opened or closed, solid or louvered, these colorful painted shutters known as volets or volets battants (to distinguish them from roll down shutters called volets roulants) remain a defining feature of French architecture — adding beauty and charming details to the windows (and doors) of homes and buildings in villages and cities from the North to the South of France. 
Picture
Rue de l'Abreuvoir, one of the oldest and most historic streets located in the Grandes-Carrières district of the 18th arrondissement of Paris
But as decorative and attractive as these traditional wooden shutters are, their sole purpose has never been to just add to the character of the architecture. Shutters have always served many practical purposes. They provide privacy and air circulation, control the amount of light let in, and most importantly, they shield or protect homes from the elements. Since many French houses don't have air conditioning and are only insulated against the summer heat by their thick stone walls, having the windows open and the shutters closed really helps to cool the inside when it's sweltering hot outside. And similarly, on those cold winter days when le Mistral (the wind of Provence) is blowing hard and rattling the shutters, keeping them closed will help keep the chill away.  
Picture
Place du Forum, Arles, France , where Vincent Van Gogh painted The Cafe Terrace at Night ​
​The first use of window shutters is said to have been in ancient Greece between 800 BC and 500 BC. Made of marble with fixed louvers, these original Grecian window shutters sheltered homes from the scorching Mediterranean sun while still allowing a breeze to blow through. As trading and commerce spread throughout the area, the practice of using interior window shutters in homes spread from Greece abroad, and with this came changes in the design. The heavy marble shutters were replaced with wood during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and designers eventually developed louvers that provided both privacy and ventilation in the mid-18th century. Adjustable louvers that let the shutter slats move upward and downward arrived in the mid-19th century. And voilà! These movable louvers provided better control over ventilation and privacy, as well as the amount of light let in, leading to an increased demand for shutters. Finally women had some control over the sunlight heating up their kitchen and fading the furniture, and ladies could nap without shutting both the light and air flow from a room!
Picture
Colorful shutters along rue de l'Abadie in the old part of Marseille
Before these developments, though, shutters hung on the inside instead of the outside. During medieval times in France, houses did have windows, but for most people the windows were nothing more than a small hole to let in some light. Early French shutters were pierced with small holes and covered with translucent oiled parchment to let in a bit of light while still keeping out the elements. As French glaziers learned how to cast glass in the late 17th century, they began making flatter, more clear, glass window panes. These glass windows were so expensive that only the wealthy aristocrats could afford them. They were quite small and used only on the top half of window openings, with solid wood shutters that opened against the inside wall covering the bottom half. When opened, the shutters let in air and light, and when closed, they offered privacy, security, and insulation against extreme temperatures. 
Picture
Interior shutters in a Medieval castle in the Loire Valley
History, however, would like us to believe that shutters were first used in France during the 17th century by King Louis XIV when he moved his court from the Louvre in Paris to the Palace of Versailles. It's rumored that le Roi Soleil loved watching the beautiful ladies of his court as they bathed and frolicked in the ponds of his gardens. His guards did also. This created a terrible distraction for them since they were suppose to be protecting the large royal residence and His Highness. To resolve this problem, it's rumored that King Louis had movable louvered shutters installed into the garden walls that only he could open, permitting him to gaze unseen at the bathing nymphs. Mon Dieu!  I'm sure his guards were jealous! The French term jalousie (literally, "jealousy") was coined for windows with shutters that permitted a person inside to look out without being seen... perhaps there was some truth to the shenanigans of the Sun King! 
Picture

​By the 18th century, glass producing technology was superior, and windows were larger and more elaborate. Casement windows that opened into rooms became popular, and double hung windows were developed. The window openings became more recessed, with handy built-in pockets for embrasured shutters to slide into when open. Carpenters were given the opportunity to be creative and began designing shutter panels that were fashionable as well as functional. The shutters could be single hung or double hung, and those that were double hung could open separately to let the light in and keep the nosy neighbors out! 

It was during Louis XV's reign that fanciful window curtains with beautiful trimmings and passementerie designed to match the bed curtains became en vogue. These drapes, laden with ribbons, cords, tassels, and bows, were in such demand that they began replacing interior shutters, and exterior shutters became commonplace. Homes were being built with thinner walls made of timber that was not as heavy as the thicker stone materials used in the 1700s, making it easier to reach out through the window to open and close the shutters. Early exterior shutters were either solid raised panels or louvered shutters called contravents or persiennes. Usually painted white, these exterior shutters led to the decline of the balcony since opening the shutters was too difficult with a balcony!
Picture
Beautiful Breton stone house with solid panel shutters on the lower floor for privacy and louver shutters on the top floor to let light in and air flow
Picture
Typical white louvered contravents or persiennes along rue Reaumur in Paris
Picture
These persiennes allow the lower part of the shutter to be opened vertically to let in extra light, Nice, France
It's hard to imagine France, especially Provence without shutters. One of our favorite hotels in Avignon, the Hôtel Cloître Saint-Louis, was originally a 16th century Jesuit monastery and still has its interior shutters. I love waking up and opening the shutters to look at and listen to the beautiful fountain in the center of the cloistered courtyard that's lined with grand old plane trees. It's a perfect way to start the day! 
Picture
Interior shutters in the  Hôtel Cloître Saint-Louis in Avignon 
​À Bientôt!
Picture
2 Comments
Lhynzie link
9/12/2022 04:37:15 am

Awesome content! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas. It was very interesting and very useful content. I’m definitely pinning it to share!

Reply
Mia Evans link
2/22/2023 02:24:48 am

It got me when you talked about waking up and opening your home's shutters to listen and see the beautiful fountain in the center of your courtyard. I would love that experience as well, because I feel like an old soul trapped in a young body. This is why I am inclined to get a plantation shutters and other vintage looking stuff that are of good quality when I have my dream house built in 2024.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Mimi Montgomery

    When this self-described Francophile is not reading or writing about all things French, she's dreaming up charming new ways to showcase Lolo French Antiques et More or traveling to France with Lolo to buy delightful treasures for their store. Mimi, Lolo, and their new French Bulldog, Duke, live in Birmingham, AL. 

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019

    Categories

    All
    Acanthus Leaf
    All Things French
    Anduze Pots
    Architecture
    Armoire
    Armoire De Mariage
    Art
    Art Deco
    Baguette
    Baguette Basket
    Bastille Day
    Bastille Day Parade
    Benches
    Biot Pot
    Bistro Table
    Blanc
    Bonne Année
    Bonnetiere
    Bonnets
    Books
    Bouillotte
    Bouillotte Table
    Boulangerie
    Breadboards
    Bûche De Noël
    Buffet
    Cabriole
    Candies
    Candles
    Catherine De Medici
    Champagne Bucket
    Champagne Cocktail
    Champagne Coupe
    Chandelier
    Charcuterie
    Charcuterie Board
    Cherubs
    Christmas
    Cloche
    Cocktail Recipe
    Confit De Canard
    Confit Pot
    Contravents
    Corinthian Columns
    Cruche
    Demijohn
    Desk
    Directoire
    Draper's Table
    Earthenware
    Easter
    Egalité
    Egg Pot
    Enfilade
    Epiphany
    Father's Day
    Fête Des Rois
    Fève
    Fire Tools
    Food
    Fraternité
    French Gardens
    French Lifestyle
    French Linens
    French Onion Soup
    French Pottery
    French Shutters
    French Traditions
    French Wedding Traditions
    Furniture Legs
    Furniture Motif
    Galette Des Rois
    Gift Guide
    Good Luck
    Gui
    Hall Tree
    Herbarium
    Holiday
    Holiday Traditions
    Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis
    Jams
    Jarres De Biot
    Joyeuses Paques
    Kings Cake
    Kiss
    La Fête Nationale
    Lamps
    Le 14 Juillet
    Le Drapeau Bleu
    Le Quatorze Juillet
    Liberté
    Longcase Clocks
    Louis Philippe
    Louis XIII
    Louis XIV
    Louis XV
    Louis XVI
    Louis XVI Chairs
    Lounge Chair
    Madame De Pompadour
    Maison Jansen
    Marie Antoinette
    Mirrors
    Mistletoe
    Moulin Rouge
    Movies
    New Year's
    Painting
    Paris
    Persiennes
    Porte-Jambon
    Postcard To Santa
    Provence
    Rafraichissoir
    Recipe
    Rouge
    Round Top
    Santons
    Seating
    Shoes By The Fire
    Soap
    Tapestry
    Teas
    Tea Serving Table
    Tea Towel
    Terra Cotta
    Thanksgiving
    Tian
    Tian Bowl
    Trestle Table
    Trousseau
    Valentine's Day
    Vanity
    Versailles
    Vive La France
    Volets
    Wedding Armoire
    Wine
    Wine And Cheese
    Word Of The Week

    RSS Feed

    Picture

    SHOP ALL

    Picture
    SHOP FRENCH GARDEN POTS
Picture

CONTACT US

Picture
4300 1st Avenue South
​Birmingham, AL 35222

Picture
205-323-6033 Shop
404-831-6603 Cell

Picture
Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
​Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Picture
info@lolofrenchantiques.com

CUSTOMER CARE

Picture
Customer Service

Picture
FAQs

Picture
Privacy Policy

Picture
To The Trade

CONNECT WITH US

Picture
Get the SCOOP
on new shipments, 
events, & more 
   

Picture
© 2023 Lolo French Antiques et More
Designed by Socially Inclined
Illustrations by Nan Richards
Site Map
Picture