Chaux de Saint-Astier

An independent family firm approaching its centenary, firing the siliceous chalky limestone of the Saint-Astier basin in the Dordogne. That stone yields a natural lime that is both non-hydraulic and faintly hydraulic at once, with nothing added — the French reference for old buildings.

Three strengths in the catalogue — Téréchaux NHL 2, Chaux Blanche LC NHL 3.5 and Tradi 100 NHL 5 — plus the mortars and renders drawn from them. It is the binder under a good many of the limewashes and stuccos sold elsewhere.