Mansard Monday ~ One of my favorite Second Empire style houses. The defining feature of a Second Empire style building is the Mansard roof, first used for an addition to the palace at the Louvre in Paris c. 1550. It got its name from 17th-century French Baroque architect François Mansart. It is an urban legend that the form was developed to avoid taxes on the top story – the King of France did not pay taxes.
The roof became fashionable again during the Second French Empire (1852–1870) of Napoléon III, corresponding with the mid-Victorian era in the United States. Typically called a French roof in the U.S. during the 19th century, it was popular during a period when all things French (including the language) were “en vogue” for fashionable middle- and upper-class Americans.
Second Empire buildings are essentially Italianate in style from the eave line down, but their roof gives them a different identity. The stacked Mansard on Mansard creating the central tower on this Richmond, Maine house is particularly fabulous.
Second Empire style is one of 25 styles illustrated and described in Chapter 2 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
It is the perfect holiday gift for the old house lover on your list!
Want to learn more about historic house styles? “A Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester is available in our shop.
© Scott T. Hanson 2023
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