Tomettes Provençales Hexagonales d'Époque
Material Library MonographHistoric Building Materials
Illustrative archive

Historical & Geological Context

The hexagonal tomette is the archetypal flooring of Mediterranean French châteaux, bastides, and townhouses. Handcrafted from local ferruginous clays and fired with pine brushwood in traditional kilns, each tile exhibits gentle gradations from pale apricot to deep oxblood red. Laid on a dry lime-and-sand bed without modern cement.

Petrographic & Geological Characteristics

Salernes red clay terracotta, wood-fired with natural flame flashings.

Lime Mortar & Breathability Compatibility

Bed on dry sand or breathable aerial lime screed (CL90); seal only with boiled linseed oil and beeswax.

Provenance & Historical Sourcing

Provence, Rhône Valley, and Mediterranean basin.

Condition Report & Patina

Reclaimed tiles cleaned of gypsum/lime, porous, natural wax-treated.

Ref: MAT-REF-015Reference Monograph

Tomettes Provençales Hexagonales d'Époque

Provence, France (FR)

Catalogue StatusEducational & Conservation Dossier

Non-commercial reference. Not sold or brokered by Le Cercle du Roi.

Historical Era17th to 19th century
Standard Dimensions / CutsPoint-to-point 14 to 17 cm, thickness 20–30 mm (~40 tiles per m²)
Reference Body / QuarryAtelier de Terre Cuite Provençale
FrameworkCurated Educational Dossier
Editorial & Conservation Notice

This material dossier is compiled from public geological surveys, heritage conservation research (BRGM, CTMNC, Historic England, Monumentenwacht), and historical treatises. Inclusion does not constitute a sales offer by Le Cercle du Roi.