ABSTRACT
Several regions in France are blessed with an exceptional rammed earth architectural heritage. This is more specifically the case for the north Dauphiné (between Grenoble and Lyon, Isere department), the Saône and Rhône river valleys (from Tournus to Avignon), the Bresse and Dombes (north-east of Lyon, AIN department), Auvergne (Centre of France) with the territory of Livradois-Forez
(around Montbrison) and in the Monts Du Lyonnais (around Feurs), but also, though less known, the south-west region of France in MidiPyrénéeS, around Toulouse (Klein, 2007:157-170). This heritage displays a large range of building typologies, including farms and barns, fortified houses, wind and water mills, manors and burgess castles, churches and also industrial buildings (textile industry, in the Dauphiné).
