Boulonnais
Limestone · France · photos on request
In brief. Boulonnais is a beige limestone from France. Marmi di Carrara supplies it as blocks, slabs of 2 and 3 cm, tiles and cut-to-size elements, in the finishes typical of this family: honed, brushed, tumbled, sandblasted. Typical uses: flooring, wall cladding, façades, architectural elements.
AboutTechnical sheetWhere to use itFinishesWeightsCarePhotosFAQ
About Boulonnais
Boulonnais is a classic French limestone quarried in the historic regions of northern France. Its uniform beige and cream palette, combined with a subtle, fine grain and occasional gentle veining, gives it a timeless, elegant appearance that suits both contemporary and traditional projects. The stone is ideal for flooring, wall cladding, bathroom surfaces and sculptural elements, and it performs well in polished, honed or brushed finishes. Marmi di Carrara supplies Boulonnais in robust blocks and 2‑3 cm thick slabs, offering cut‑to‑size services and providing high‑resolution photos of actual slabs before purchase, ensuring confidence in every selection.
Typically a fine‑grained limestone of beige to cream tones.
Where to use Boulonnais
| Interior floors | Good |
|---|---|
| Wall cladding | Excellent |
| Kitchen worktops | With care |
| Bathrooms and wet areas | Good |
| Exterior paving and façades | Good |
| Frost exposure | With care |
| Back-lighting | Not suitable |
General guidance for the limestone family. The right thickness, finish and treatment for Boulonnais are confirmed on your project.
Weights and logistics
| Thickness (mm) | about 25 kg/m² |
|---|---|
| Thickness (mm) | about 50 kg/m² |
| Thickness (mm) | about 75 kg/m² |
| Thickness (mm) | about 100 kg/m² |
| Thickness (mm) | about 125 kg/m² |
| Slab 300 × 180 cm, 2 cm | about 270 kg |
| Slab 300 × 180 cm, 3 cm | about 405 kg |
| 20-foot container (about 27 t) | about 540 m² of 2 cm slabs |
Weights are calculated from the typical density of the stone family; the packing list of each shipment states the real weight.
Finishes for Boulonnais
Honed
Smooth and matt, with a soft satin look. Hides small scratches and etching better than a polish and is safer underfoot.
Brushed
Worked with abrasive brushes for a slightly undulating, silky surface that follows the grain of the stone. Warm to the touch and easy to live with.
Sandblasted
A fine, even roughness obtained with a jet of sand. Lightens the colour and gives grip: used for exteriors, steps and pool surrounds.
Tumbled
Edges and surface are softened in a drum for an aged, antique look. Typical for travertine and limestone floors.
Care and maintenance
- Clean with water and a neutral detergent made for natural stone; rinse and dry.
- Avoid acids and descalers (vinegar, lemon, anti-limescale sprays): they etch calcite and dull a polished surface.
- Seal with an impregnating protector after laying and repeat when water no longer beads, typically every 1–3 years on tops.
- Wipe wine, coffee, oil and citrus juice straight away, especially on kitchen and vanity tops.
- A dulled or scratched surface can be re-honed or re-polished on site: the stone is the same through its whole thickness.
How to order
- Send sizes, thickness, finish and destination with the form.
- We reply with photos of the lots available now and a written offer.
- You approve the slabs or the block; for large projects we prepare a dry-lay.
- Cutting, finishing, quality check and packing in wooden crates or bundles.
- Shipping worldwide from Carrara, with packing list and documents.
Photos of Boulonnais
Natural stone changes from block to block, so we photograph the lots we have in stock at the moment of your request. Send the form with your sizes and we reply with real photographs of the slabs or blocks available.
Similar stones
Other limestone materials in beige & cream tones to compare.
More stones from France
Alençon · Algajola · Allois · Appietto · Aubazine · Becon · Bignan Jaune · Bleu DE Sevres · Bleu Nacre D'anjou · Bouvacote · Brennilis · Brusvily · Carolles · Celtic Red · Charelle · Chassagny · Chavagnes · Clair du Tarn · Cogles · Combloux · Compeix · Coraille · Crevant · Crozant · Dorres · Droiturier · Eyrein · Fanay · Fermanville · Ferrieres · Lanhelin · Rose de Senones · Rose de la Clarte · Abrots · Ambrault · Ampilly · Ancy-le-franc · Andelarrot · Annoisin · Anstrude
Shipping and returns
Shipping cost depends on weight and distance and is stated in the written offer; within Italy it starts from € 300 per shipment. Goods can be returned within 14 days: a 30% restocking fee applies and the return transport is paid by the customer. Pieces cut to size cannot be returned.
Questions and answers
Where does Boulonnais come from?
Boulonnais comes from France.
How much does a slab of Boulonnais weigh?
A 2 cm slab of this stone family weighs about 50 kg per square metre; a 3 cm slab about 75 kg.
Is Boulonnais suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?
Typical uses of limestone are flooring, wall cladding, façades, architectural elements. For kitchen tops we recommend a suitable finish and sealing: tell us your project and we advise the right solution.
Which finishes can I have on Boulonnais?
The finishes normally used on this stone family are honed, brushed, tumbled, sandblasted. The finish is chosen according to where the stone goes: polished or honed indoors, textured finishes where grip is needed.
Can Boulonnais be used outdoors?
For the limestone family our guidance for exterior paving and façades is: good; for frost exposure: with care. We confirm thickness and finish on your project and climate.
How do I clean and protect Boulonnais?
Use water and a neutral stone detergent, avoid acids and descalers, and seal the surface with an impregnating protector.
Do slabs of Boulonnais all look the same?
No. Natural stone changes from block to block and even within the same block. This is why we send photographs of the lots available at the moment of the offer, and book-match slabs from the same block when the design needs it.
How do I get a price for Boulonnais?
Prices depend on the selection, thickness, finish and quantity. Send the form with your sizes: we reply with photos of the lots available and a written offer.