Brick castles: six French residences built in red, from Saint-Fargeau to Laréole

French châteaux are often associated with the tuffeau of the Loire Valley, the granite of Brittany, or the limestone of Île-de-France. Yet, from Puisaye to Comminges, nobles and merchants chose terracotta—whether because stone was scarce, too costly, or simply for the sheer pleasure of colour. The result is unmistakable: towers in a near-orange pink at Saint-Fargeau, a checkerboard of glazed green bricks in Normandy, and warm, understated façades around Toulouse. These six residences, built between 1453 and 1640, each showcase a distinct way of using brick, from military fortresses to Louis XIII-era manors. Late autumn and winter are ideal for visiting: under low winter sun, terracotta takes on hues that white stone can never achieve.