French Colonial Architecture in Savannakhet, Laos During the late 19th century, the French began to colonize the area known as Indochina.  By the early 20th century, they controlled vast areas of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.  The French were forced from Indochina during the 1950's but still left a mark on their former colonies.  Legacies of the French colonial period can be found all over Laos, including great tasting baguettes and cheese, good wine, Catholicism and the mark of all colonial powers, architecture.  The city of Savannakhet in Southern Laos is full of fine, if crumbling, examples of French colonial architecture.  Most of these buildings have deteriorated over the years due to neglect, war and poverty but they still retain a sense of romance and history.  Below are a few examples of what can be seen all over the former French colonies of Indochina.

Although many of these structures are crumbling, they still retain a certain colonial charm.

Another one of Savannakhet's crumbling gems.

The entrance to a family's house.

Detail of air vents above a doorway in an old Indochinese shophouse.

The old and the new, an old colonial house now contains a tiny, new convenient store.

St. Theresa's Catholic Church.

The lower floor of this building has been turned into a restaurant and the upper floor serves as the family's residence.

Close up of a decorative window.

Other fine examples of French colonial architecture.

To some people, this might be considered a mess but to us, it is a has a hidden beauty.

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