The rich cultural heritage and distinctive style of the French are remarkably apparent in the graceful form and remarkable beauty of their architecture. The French style became popular in America after World War I when the American soldiers serving in France returned home with a familiarity and fondness for the French style of architecture. Popularity of the French style was also advanced in the United States by the fact that many books on French houses were produced during the 1920s.

     The French style in America is eclectic. Its precedents are rooted in French domestic architecture, specifically in the

regions of Brittany and Normandy. The French style exhibits great variety in form, in the ornamentation and detailing, and in the use of materials. A massive, steep, hipped roof, often appointed with dormer windows, typically unites the French house. This style of architecture is often asymmetrical in form and occasionally includes a rounded tower element on the principal façade of the structure. However, symmetry can also play an important role in French architecture.

     Domestic French houses share many characteristics with Medieval English architecture, such as the use of a variety of materials, and steeply pitched roofs.