Petite France is absolutely stunning. Situated around the canal, the houses are ½ timbered old tanning houses dating back to 14th and 15th centuries. They are tall, usually 3 or 4 stories and in the days when they were used as tanning houses the top floor was open to dry the hides, some still have open spaces at the top. The houses are crowded together, jutting out over the cobblestoned road at odd angles, some lean a little due to their age. They are in many shades of blue, green, pink and yellow. They have white or brown wooden shutters on the windows, black lacy wrought iron balconies with boxes of brightly coloured flowers. In the slate roof are usually two or three floors of small dormer windows. Large wooden doors at ground level often open up to reveal pretty courtyards.