In Right French, the patus (also called paste or patec or levels , even salts out in Provence) is an old concept indicating a unit of indivisible goods , intended for a common use. The term probably comes from the function of these goods, which were in the beginning, in a Hameau, space around the houses where the Basse-cour played about, the common passages for the livestock of the various farmers, like various installations divided like the Abreuvoir. It is distinguished in particular from a Cour by the fact that the latter is integral part of private space and the Architecture of a Habitation.

Since the 13th century at least, the patus formed integral part of the batch allotted to a Fermier by the Seigneur, without being able neither to be modified, nor in being withdrawn. This batch included/understood generally also the Hortus , piece dedicated to the Potager. At the 18th century, one also sees appearing the word “ patus ” in the meaning of part closed by four Mur S and with open sky, but it seems to be a question there of a Homonyme.

The concept of patus was redefined recently by the Court of Appeal of Toulouse in 1996, which describes it like one funds intended for the common use of all those whose properties are next to it . The Court of Appeal pointed out its indivisible character (it cannot be allotted to whoever the property of such funds), as well as the requirement to put an end to this joint possession: only the unanimous assent of all the owners of the goods whose patus constitutes the accessory makes it possible to dissolve it.

To claim to belong to the owners concerned, just like to profit from possessory protection (in order not to be private pleasure of the patus), it is necessary to justify the existence of this undivided right with sufficient probability (while showing in particular that its property is next to the patus and that this last constitutes an accessory of it, commun run with other owners).

External bonds

• “communities and their soils in southernmost France with XVIIe and XVIIIe centuries”, by Rene Souriac, 1998 - ISBN: 2-84274-033-5.
• Decisions of the court of call of Toulouse, Stop of February 26th, 1996, n°93.