Author(s): Text by Ron Katz, Photographs by Arielle de la Tour d’Auvergne
Title: French America (La France En Amérique)
City of Publication: Singapore
Publisher: Editions Didier Millet & French Heritage Society,
printed by Star Standard
Year of Publication: October 2004
ISBN Number: 981-4155-15-2
Number of Pages: 223
Number and Type
Of Illustrations: 200-plus photographs and several maps
Binding: Hardcover
Price: $45.00
Reviewed by: Raymond Plumey, FAIA, Architect & Planner, PC

This richly illustrated and photographed book explores the architectural and cultural heritage of the Nouvelle France (New France) in the territory known as La Louisiane (Louisiana Territory) in the United States from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. Subjects covered include the exploration of the New England coast, the upper and middle Mississippi River valley and the lower Mississippi River valley and the gulf coast by French explorers. Other subjects include contributions made by French men and women to the American Revolution, and contributions made by French architects and city planners to the design and planning of this country’s early civic buildings and cities such as Washington, DC.

The book contains an overview of the history and present conditions of French architecture and other buildings and structures in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC and New York. The book concludes with French-inspired civic architecture such as the U.S. Capitol and The White House in Washington, DC; City Hall in New York City; Baltimore Cathedral; The Capital in Richmond, Virginia; The University of Virginia and Monticello by Thomas Jefferson and finally the city plan for Washington, DC by L’Enfant.

This book was co-published by the French Heritage Society, an American charitable organization founded in 1982 dedicated to the preservation of French architectural patrimony both in the United States and in France. The book can be purchased through their website at www.frenchheritagesociety.org. In addition, there is a link on the FHS website for contributions to the FHS Katrina Heritage Rescue Fund. This book will be of interest to architects, preservationists, art historians and those with an interest in French art, architecture, culture and history.