Graphical Construction Glossary >> Doors. >> Door types >> Porte Cochere

Porte Cochere

A doorway into an inner courtyard large enough to allow the passage of vehicles and goods. From the French for "carriage porch".

A rather scruffy doorway seen in the Marais section of Paris.

Still sticking with the double doors theme, the subject of this page is a French name that still crops up in English now and again. It goes back to the times of horse carriages and cities everywhere still have them on show. This particular set of double doors are quite ornate with some intricate carving on the panels.

Not too apparent at first glance is the fact that the bottom of the right hand door has a small wicket door in it.

I have no idea how old this door is, and it is sadly in need of attention now, but considering that it has withstood the elements for at least a hundred years or so it is not doing too badly.

I would have to say that when this Porte Cochere was new then the whole thing would have looked very impressive. The wicket door would have been just about undetectable when the thing was new. Note also the now ubiquitous numeric keypad to unlock the small door.

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"What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
Adam Smith 1723-1790

"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900