French Fireplace

Antique French Fireplaces are such dominent centerpieces in any room that they have been at the forefront of each periods’ decorative style. From the simplest of cottage fireplaces to a succession of French monarchs’ architectural styles, they are essential to the traditional composition of each room in a period building.

French fireplace mantels

Nowadays only a minority would still be in use for heating with an open log-burning fire, and are frequently adapted to modern lifestyles for example by converting to gas or housing a wood-burning stove, or supplanted by central heating and climate control and therefore lit only on special occasions. Flues are simple to block with an opening and closing trap to conserve heat within the room when the fireplace is not in use, so they are ways to conserve energy.

From simple to ornate, all BCA’s antique French chimneypieces, like our stone fireplace mantels,  have authenticity and French history in common. Most were made locally by village or town stone carvers, often close to the quarry itself. Made from marble, limestone, granite or even wood, BCA’s Antique Materials’ French fireplaces have unique characteristics and determine a time in the history of France. We do not offer reproduction fireplaces at all, and the descriptions of each fireplace reference concern the one-off genuine antique on the stock website. Being antiques they have the requirement for an « export passport » from France’s Ministère de la Culture, which we apply for as soon as they come into stock. This saves time and bureaucracy in the case of rapid export sales.

The chosen antique fireplace will be in stock on display at either our Normandy premises at Méry Corbon, or our Maine & Loire premises at l’Hôtellerie-de-Flée. Clients are welcome to come and view these antique fireplaces, also our marble fireplace mantels, so get in touch with David by phone or email and we’ll be pleased to show you around.