@gamelee Thanks Lee - these old cottages have/had big open fireplaces with a large, straight chimney flue. The opening at the top will be at least 1m x 0.5m and if you put your head in the fireplace and look up, you will have an uninterrupted view of the sky. This works two ways of course so heavy rain will run into the fireplace carrying lots of soot with it. To combat this the chimney tops are covered by a concrete slab on short legs - the gap all round let’s the smoke out but the rain can't get in.
If you're wondering how this affects the sweeping of the chimney, it doesn't. Chimneys in France are swept from the top down so the chimney sweep - the ramoneur - climbs on the roof, lifts off the cover and sweeps all the soot down into the fireplace or closed stove if there is one.
The view on black really brings out the rock patterns in the farthest building. Such lovely character in these places.
Your comment on my brown card photo gave me a chuckle. Thanks for the happy laugh you inspired.
If you're wondering how this affects the sweeping of the chimney, it doesn't. Chimneys in France are swept from the top down so the chimney sweep - the ramoneur - climbs on the roof, lifts off the cover and sweeps all the soot down into the fireplace or closed stove if there is one.
Your comment on my brown card photo gave me a chuckle. Thanks for the happy laugh you inspired.