Actually, our neighbours probably DO think I’m bonkers as I’ve taken photos of their floor tiles too!
But really, it’s not just any old tiles – their house is full to the skirting boards of the most beautiful ‘carreaux ciment’.
These highly decorative cement tiles (also known as hydraulic tiles), along with terracotta tiles, are an extremely common form of floor covering here and the colours can be magnificent.
They are thought to have been first produced in Viviers, in the South of France, in the mid 19th century and you can see that it’s an incredibly hard-wearing floor when you think most of the houses around here still have the original tiles. And they’re wonderfully cool under the feet in summer. No wonder you see all the dogs and cats in their village residences sprawled out on them. Just be sure you don’t have shaky fingers, the morning after a big dinner party, with a favourite breakfast bowl…
On moving in to their home, our neighbour friends found a load of tile spares and cleverly laid them in the VIP room.
Even going to the loo is a treat for the eyes.
The Vigneron's Wife 