Philibert de L’Orme and the French Tradition of Vaulting

Philibert de L’Orme in his Premier tome de l’architecture mainly treats two domains, which differ in both subject matter and approach. He propagates the doctrine of the classical orders that had been developed in Italy during the Renaissance, and hand he explains the tradition of French medieval vaulting, commending it as a national property renowned in the countries north of the Alps. He took up the art of stereotomy also in his buildings; afterwards in French architecture vaults often ostentatiously display the difficult art of stone carving.