Final answer:
The term used to describe the central element of a building in French architecture is Corps-de-logis, which represents the primary living or functional quarters, unlike the subsidiary wings and pavilions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In French architecture, the term used to describe the central element of a building, as opposed to its subsidiary wings and pavilions, is Corps-de-logis. This refers to the main body of the building where the key functions are housed, as distinct from secondary structures. The façade principale might be considered the 'face' of the corps-de-logis, while the aile latérale would be a side wing, and tour centrale could describe a central tower. However, it is the corps-de-logis that represents the primary living or functional quarters within a grand architectural composition such as a palace, chateau, or large manor house.
In the context of Romanesque or Gothic architecture, which often features a longitudinal plan culminating at an altar, or avant-garde designs with a central plan, the corps-de-logis would still be the main area around which other architectural features are arranged. Noteworthy examples include sites like the Maison Carrée, with its pronounced deep porch and frontal orientation, and the house of Jacques Coeur in Bourges, illustrating the flamboyant style of Late Gothic architecture with its elaborate ornamentation. These buildings all leverage the key concept of central versus peripheral spaces, whether secular or ecclesiastical in function.