A selection of the French limestones available from our partner quarries.
This is one of France's premium limestones and has been used in many of the world's greatest modern buildings.
The image here shows the Chamesson Coquillé that has a beige background with 2-3cm fossil shells. This is taken from the top layer (or bench) in the quarry. The next bench down is Chamesson B2-B4 which is probably the best known stone from this quarry. It has a pale grey/off-white background with fine grey or brown shells that run in wispy lines, particularly when the stone is vein cut.
Suitable for:
A medium density limestone with a uniform pale beige / off-white background colour. The image here shows the Lavoux à Grain (also known as Lavoux Doré or Lépine) used in the renovation of Canterbury cathedral. From another level in the same quarry, we get the Lavoux Fin. It is technically similar but a slightly whiter background colour and has a finer grain. This stone is excellent for carving and weathers well.
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A hard white, coarse grained limestone with a uniform off white background colour.
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A durable off-white limestone with a uniform background colour and unusual white shell fossils.
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Aubigny limestone, also known as Lanvignes, is a warm, caramel coloured limestone that is durable and suitable for both internal and external use. As flooring it works particularly well when brushed or antiqued.
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The Tercé limestone is a uniform white limestone with a crystalline structure.
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Ampilly limestone is a hard-wearing, durable limestone that is suitable for both internal and external use. It is ideal for external use in cold climates and has been tested to 240 cycles of freeze/thaw.
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The Chitré limestone is a Tuffeau limestone that is world famous and was used to build many of the great chateaux of the Loire Valley. It's not just reserved for the chateaux but can be used for any type of building old or new. Many villages along the Loire valley are made entirely from this stone.
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