When it comes to French colonial buildings in Vientiane. There are two clear contrasts. Official government buildings and residential two to three story buildings with stores/cafes on the ground floor.
All the French government buildings are surrounded by high fences. Giving a sense of separation and authority. They are all very large, grand structures with large entrances and window shutters. When walking through the city you can spot them easily, they are a little intimidating.
The doors and windows are what mark French colonial influence to me. The carpenters at the time must have been very busy and you can definitely see a pattern of similar style. They were all probably made by just a handful of these craftsmen.
A lot of old abandoned buildings are also present like this theatre. It gives the city a ghostly feel of mystery.
The contrasts are well balanced. Many of the colonial buildings reside right next to Buddhist places of worship.
The retro basket style bicycles , scooters and old European cars are the main form of transport used by locals and tourists alike. This definitely brings a feel of intermingled movement of various people all with the same goals...to get somewhere.
Cafes on street corners with small terraces about. As I'm walking through the streets, I find myself gazing up all the time. The French have certainly left a architectural mark on this city. Not all the buildings are being used for their original purposes but that's what makes this place so unique. A mixture of people residing along side each other, with a common short history and fusing culture.
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