French limestones, when generally speaking about the harder varieties, are often the standard by which other limestones are judged. Considered by many to be the creme de la creme, their beauty and strength put them in a class of their own. French limestone is on the same level as French wine, food, art and culture!

When comparing other limestones against say, Buxy or Corton, you can ask questions like: "Is it as hard?", "Can it be flamed?", "Can it be used commercially?". Or against some of the other stones of Burgundy you can say: "Does it come in an antiqued "Versailles" pattern with pillowed edges and an undulating "aged" surface?"