The CSAL Houses

The CSAL houses in Porcheresse are an exceptional testament to the history and reconstruction of the village after the First World War. These small dwellings, also known as “Committee houses,” were built starting in 1915 by the Luxembourg Relief and Food Committee (CSAL) to provide temporary housing for residents left homeless after the devastating fire that ravaged the village in August 1914.

Built in an emergency, these simple and functional little houses were constructed with local materials, mainly stone and wood, in keeping with the Ardennes architectural style. Their structure is recognizable by its rectangular shape, the upper floor under the roof, and the red brick door and window frames, a rather uncommon feature in a region where cut stone was generally preferred. The pinkish joints in the masonry come from a lime-based mortar mixed with local soils rich in iron oxide.

Originally, around thirty CSAL houses were built in Porcheresse. Today, nineteen still remain, carefully preserved by local residents. Some have been converted into homes, garages, vacation rentals, or storage buildings, while retaining their authentic character. They represent a rare and memory-filled architectural heritage, recalling the organized solidarity that helped support affected populations during the war.