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.
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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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Quarried in Burgundy
Lanvignes limestone 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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Quarried in Northern Burgundy
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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Quarried in Burgundy
Rocheville limestone is full of character with honey coloured veining and large grey shell fossils on a warm beige background. With a high degree of frost resistance, it is perfectly suited for flooring and cladding both internal and external. As flooring it works particularly well when brushed or antiqued.
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The Limeyrat quarry produces limestone with colours ranging from off-white through yellows and reds to grey. It lends itself beautifully to creating a floor of great character for internal and external applications.
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Quarried in South West France
Luget limestone, quarried in South West France, has a relatively uniform coloured beige background with little in the way of veining and shell fossils.
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Quarried in South West France
Combe Brune limestone is a light off-white limestone with minimal shell fossils and veining.
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Quarried in Burgundy
Semond limestone. as in many quarries, shows slightly different characteristics depending on the bench within the quarry.
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Corton limestone is one of France's hard limestones suited to use in heavy traffic areas in commercial areas as well as in residential premises.
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