We have compiled a glossary of international country house names, exploring their origins and characteristics to help you discover the perfect location, or simply deepen your appreciation of Europe’s rural heritage.

Bastides and Manoirs: Timeless Elegance in the French Countryside

Across Provence, the countryside is dotted with bastides, not to be confused with the fortified medieval towns of the same name. As residences, bastides are grand, stately homes, typically built in pale stone with elegant, symmetrical façades. More formal than the rustic mas (traditional Provençal farmhouses), they often feature spacious interiors, high ceilings, and large windows. 

The manoir, by contrast, embodies the archetypical French country house. Traditionally owned by local landowners, these properties often include outbuildings and carry a distinctive sense of history. Architectural details include thick stone walls, towers or turrets, and balanced façades, lending them both solidity and grace. 

Quintas: Portugal’s Vine-Laced Country Estates

In Portugal, a quinta is a country estate or farm, often centred around a manor house. Many are known for their wine production, particularly in the Douro Valley, where vineyards cascade down terraced hillsides. The term itself has Latin roots, quintas, meaning “one-fifth”, as these estates were once leased in exchange for one-fifth of their produce.

Traditional quintas are distinguished by their whitewashed walls, terracotta roofs, and brightly painted window-frame trims in blue, ochre or yellow. Inside, they often showcase the finest of Portuguese craftsmanship, with details in cork, ceramics, and rich textiles that reflect a heritage of artistry and warmth.

Casolare, Casa Colonica, and Masseria: Rustic Italian Charm

The quintessential Italian rural home is the casolare, or farmhouse, found throughout Tuscany and Umbria. Instantly recognisable by its stone walls, terracotta roof tiles, and exposed wooden beams, the casolare embodies the rustic charm of the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside. A variant term, casa colonica, comes from colono, tenant farmers who historically worked the land and owed a portion of their produce to the landowner under the traditional agricultural system.

In Puglia, the masseria is a fortified agricultural estate, once serving as both a residence and a working hub for landowners and farmers. Characterised by stables, granaries, and other agricultural buildings, the masseria combines practical function with striking architectural presence, creating a distinctive symbol of southern Italian rural life.

Fincas and Cortijos: The Soul of Rural Spain

Fincas and cortijos offer a glimpse into Spanish rural life. Traditionally, a cortijo, or country house, was located on a finca, or farm. Today, finca generally refers to a farmhouse, whether old or newly built, with some surrounding land, while a cortijo is a larger, grander residence, often featuring a tower and set within substantial farmland. Both are particularly characteristic of southern Spain, especially Andalucía, where their flat-fronted white façades, red-tiled roofs, and spacious inner courtyards make them instantly recognisable.

Further information

Contact Jelena Cvjetkovic or Alice Storrie