French architecture has a rich and varied history that spans many centuries. The earliest examples of French architecture date back to the Roman era, when the Romans built amphitheaters, aqueducts, and other structures throughout France.
French architecture has been influenced by a wide range of styles and movements, including Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau.
French-style homes are known for their elegance, sophistication, and timeless beauty. They often feature large, arched windows with shutters, steep rooftops, courtyard entries, exterior gardens, and French doors, which are hinged double doors with multiple glass panes.
French provincial architecture is characterized by its symmetrical proportions, stone, stucco, or brick exterior, steeply pitched or hipped roofs, arched doorways, two-story tall homes, tall, arched windows on the second story, windows that extend beyond the eave of the roof line, and balance and symmetry.
French country architecture is inspired by the grand homes of the Provence region of France. It can include two-story houses, aligned windows on both stories, arches and wooden shutters, and double chimneys. This style is characterized by its warm, inviting design, and is often associated with cozy cottages and farmhouses.
French architecture is known for its elegance, sophistication, and attention to detail. Some of the key features and characteristics of French architecture include symmetrical design, steeply pitched roofs, large windows, and ornate details such as wrought iron balconies, shutters, and moldings.
If you’re interested in incorporating French architecture into your own property, there are many ways to do so. Some tips include choosing a style that suits your personal taste and the location of your property, using natural materials such as stone, stucco, or brick to create an authentic look, and incorporating large, arched windows to allow for plenty of natural light.
French property design and architecture can include:
French-style homes
They often have:
Large, arched windows with shutters
French-style homes typically have tall, arched windows that let in ample amounts of light. The arched top shape makes them stand out from standard rectangular windows and gives them a grander, elegant look. They often have decorative shutters on the sides that can be closed for privacy or shade when desired, but can be left open to showcase the windows.
Steep rooftops
Iconic steeply angled rooftops are key to the French country home aesthetic. They rise sharply from the walls to a high central peak or dual peaks. The steep slope enables attic space storage while allowing rain, snow, and debris to easily slide off. French rooftops are often finished in dark gray slate or terra cotta tile shingles for an architecturally pleasing, rustic look.
Courtyard entries
French homes often have a small, enclosed courtyard area leading to the front entryway door, providing an elegant transitional space from the exterior to the interior. These courtyards are bordered by low walls with spaces open to the pathways. They provide a pretty spot outdoors for landscaping features like tilework, flowerbeds, benches or fountains that can be admired by passersby or enjoyed by homeowners.
Exterior gardens
The lush gardens of French-style homes are legendary. They often have geometrically-shaped flowerbeds bordering winding dirt paths, surrounded by short iron fences or boxwood hedges. Roses, lavender, flowering fruit trees, and other classic French plants artfully surround tranquil garden seating areas. These intimate green spaces provide visual delight and serene outdoor living areas.
French doors
French doors feature rows of many small glass panes in each narrow, tall door to filter light into interior spaces while maintaining privacy. They have double doors that are hinged on the sides to open in or out onto gardens or balconies, melding interiors with outdoor views. The narrow doors leave wide openings when fully opened, and when closed still enable outdoor vistas through the many glass panes.
French provincial architecture
This style is characterized by:
Symmetrical proportions
French provincial homes have a balanced symmetry to their design and proportions. The windows and doors align evenly on both sides of the centered front entryway. If a second story is present, the windows and architectural details match on both floors. This creates visual harmony and elegant appeal.
Stone, stucco, or brick exterior
Authentic materials lend French provincial homes a traditional European aesthetic. Facades use stone, such as weathered cobblestone, as well as painted stucco plaster or red brick masonry. These durable materials age well while requiring little upkeep beyond routine cleaning. Their textures and natural hues blend into the countryside.
Steeply pitched or hipped roofs
Prominent rooflines are key to the French provincial style. Roofs have steep pitches reaching upward at an angle of over 45 degrees to allow winter snow to easily shed. Two slopes meet in the middle with hips creating elegant roof shapes. The emphasis draws eyes skyward to their dramatic peaks.
Arched doorways
Graceful rounded arched doorways trimmed in stone lend French provincial homes an inviting, Old World charm. These symmetrical arches embellish prominent front entrances, often crowned with decorative keystones for visual weight and interest.
Two-story tall homes
French provincial homes are stately structures, frequently built two full stories high to make a statement while maximizing square footage. Two floors with sets of windows creates an impressive silhouette with vertical proportions.
Tall, arched windows on the second story
If a second floor is present, arched windows mirror the arches over doorways. Placed as twins or singles and often crowned with stone trim to match below, these arched forms infuse elegance while allowing ample sunlight within.
Windows that extend beyond the eave of the roof line
Windows frequently reach upwards into the gabled attic space, puncturing through the eaves rather than stopping at the roofline. This technique maximizes light into attic rooms while creating a sense these homes rise high toward the heavens.
Balance and symmetry
French provincial architecture has balanced proportions that equally distribute visual weight between both sides of the facade. This creates satisfying symmetry that draws the eye while feeling harmonious and pleasantly orderly to the viewer.
French country architecture
This style is inspired by the grand homes of the Provence region of France.
It can include:
Two-story houses
French country homes borrow grand dimensions from estates dotting the countryside of Provence. Two full stories with attics allow square footage for expansive layouts reminiscent of villas and chateaus, yet scaled down for suburban or rural lots. The height makes them prominent statements.
Aligned windows on both stories
Windows line up precisely from the ground floor to the matching set on the next story, speaking to French country’s balance and order. Both rows of windows are equivalently sized and evenly spaced across the facade in neat symmetry. This gives visual rhythm and a pleasing cadence to observe.
Arches and wooden shutters
Graceful arches often crown doorways and windows to inject French country elegance. Arched architectural details lend an inviting panache. Wooden shutters left open or closed at the windows’ sides add European village charm and provide functional shade and privacy options. They typically sport cuts outs in decorative shapes associated with Provence like fleur-de-lis.
Double chimneys
Twin chimneys bracket both sides of the roofline, allowing separate fireplace flues for kitchen hearths keeping homes warm and country kitchen stoves humming. The dual masonry chimneys provide beautiful punctuation while underscoring the beloved French country tradition of extended family gatherings around heartwarming hearths.
Both iconic and avant-garde, French spaces fuse inspired aesthetics with artistry through the centuries, imprinting enduring elements across countless architectural styles replicated globally. Understanding the hallmarks of Gallic design preserves cultural heritage while offering timeless inspiration. Whether you live in or simply love French properties, these spaces celebrate history with a vision of looking forward as well. Bon style!
FAQ
What are some key aspects of French architectural style?
Signatures of French design include mansard roofs, arched entryways, French doors opening to gardens or balconies, tall multi-pane casement windows, limestone or other ornate facades, and elegant interior details like crystal chandeliers, carved moldings, and dark wood flooring in chevron or herringbone patterns.
Why are French country homes so popular?
From charming Provencal farm cottages to rustic Normandy manors, French country décor reflects laidback rural living. Beamed ceilings, stone fireplaces, distressed wood finishes, and painted furniture lend relaxed elegance without pretention, making French country style perennially popular worldwide.
What are defining aspects of Parisian apartment style?
Picture perfect Parisian apartments blend old-world details like gilded mirrors, bookcases, and crown molding with lighter modern elements like white paneling, glass tables, and lucite chairs for timeless chic backdropped by wrought iron balconies overlooking winding streets.
What architectural features reflect South of France style?
Sun-washed South of France homes embrace breezy Mediterranean living with vibrant colors, clay tile roofs, lush gardens, and amenities for indoor-outdoor entertaining like expansive terraces, al fresco dining spaces, infinity pools, and floor-to-ceiling doors opening onto spectacular seaside vistas.
