Lexique de l’architecture
On this page you will find a complete list of French vocabulary words for architecture styles and building types. Almost all of the words associated with architecture (l’architecture) are the same in English and French. This is because a lot of the words in English were borrowed from French before and during the Renaissance period.
Vocabulary list
When sightseeing in France you might find some of these terms useful.
- gothique gothic
- baroque baroque
- Renaissance Renaissance
- rococo rococo
- néoclassique neoclassic
- art nouveau art nouveau
- art déco art deco
- le frontation pediment
- la frise frieze
- l’arc arch
- le chœur choir
- l’architrave architrave
- le fleuron finial
- la colonne pillar
- la corniche cornice
- la tour tower
- le pignon gable
- la flèche spire
- la tourelle turret
- la douve moat
- le dôme dome
- la cathédrale cathedrale
- le gratte-ciel sky-scraper
- le bâtiment building
- le château chateau/castle
- l’église church
- la mosquée mosque
- le temple temple
- la synagogue synagogue
- le pont bridge
Related lessons:
French vocabulary | Lessons by David Issokson
