The Toue Cabanée Residential Building Located Near Nantes

The building is located on a rocky plateau above a floodplain in the Loire river landscape. Simple willow mats from the hardware store cover the wooden structure. François Massin Castan and Clémence Manson, who both work in the centre of Nantes, wanted to live in the countryside, work in the city and not have a car. The plot of land next to the commuter car park on the railway line in Le Cellier, about 20 km northeast of Nantes, offered them both: excellent public transport links and unspoilt nature.  

The foundations and walls were retained. A wooden structure extends the brick arbour vertically. © François Massin Castan

The building is located on a rocky plateau above a floodplain in the Loire river landscape. Simple willow mats from the hardware store cover the wooden structure. François Massin Castan and Clémence Manson, who both work in the centre of Nantes, wanted to live in the countryside, work in the city and not have a car. The plot of land next to the commuter car park on the railway line in Le Cellier, about 20 km northeast of Nantes, offered them both: excellent public transport links and unspoilt nature.  

© François Massin Castan 

The couple installed the facade cladding themselves with the help of six friends. The simple willow mats, which are often used as privacy screens on fences, tie the ground floor and the extension together and protect the black weatherproofing foil from sunlight. Clémence Manson estimates that the mats will last at least ten years. "When necessary, we will replace them, shred them and use them as mulch in the garden," she says.  

The central staircase structure reinforces the house and provides kitchen storage space. © François Massin Castan 

Exposed spruce ceilings, maritime pine-clad walls and chestnut flooring create a warm, natural atmosphere. The staircase structure in the centre strengthens the building and relieves the gable ends, which open across the full width of the living room to reveal a rock face covered in ferns and moss.  

A Swedish stove is the only source of heat on the upper floors. © François Massin Castan

Manson and Massin Castan have nicknamed their house the “Toue Cabanée”. Why? François Massin Castan explains: “The wooden upper floors rest on the ground floor base, just like the superstructures of houseboats on the Loire rest on the hull.” Clémence Mansons adds: “The open gable ends together with the closed long sides. In a toue cabanée, the sides are also more or less closed, while the bow and stern remain open to provide a view in the direction of travel.”  
 
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