fbpx
French style homes: freedom, sophistication, and romanticism

In architecture, the French style was shaped by significant historical eras – the Renaissance, the times of the great Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, etc. 

In the French architectural style, houses are luxurious country mansions, similar to the palaces of the wealthy nobility and aristocracy. And if in the city, designing a French-style home, it is difficult, since space there is limited, then in the province, your mansion will be known for miles. The facades of such country houses are decorated with columns, balconies, and exquisite stucco. And the adjacent territory with paved paths is a picturesque courtyard and garden.

Features of the architecture of houses and cottages in the French style

The French style in architecture used to be significantly different, depending on the geography of a person’s residence. Weather conditions, terrain features, and other factors influenced the most important thing – the materials used in construction. Most often, stone materials were used to construct residential buildings in France: granite, limestone, basalt, and sandstone. It was limestone that was given primary importance since it gave in to processing better than others.

Today the construction of French-style country houses is not necessarily based on stone – homes in plaster are no less prevalent. The interior of the old French buildings was filled with a mixture of clay and straw, and brickwork to give the structure maximum strength. Oak beams could also be used as a frame material, at the request of the customer.

As for the design, the primary manifestation of the French style in construction is the plastered walls, and quite often the presence of the attic.

Four Styles – Four Tales! Architects distinguish architecture of french homes in four styles: Chateau, French country (Provence), Norman, and Chalet. Let’s discover them!

Chateau style homes

The French architectural style Chateau is a country house in the form of a manor. And it assumes the presence of a large plot of land, which is ennobled with garden trees and other green plants, and even whole shady alleys. The home, designed in the Chateau style, looks like a small castle built of stone. The ground floor serves as a wine cellar. The first floor has spacious living rooms, and the rest of the levels are bedrooms. The upper floors are mansard, with elongated Gothic lookouts and turrets.

The facades are painted in pastel colors. There are arches, columns, balconies. Everything is richly decorated with decor and stucco, and the interior emphasizes the owners’ open lifestyle.

French country style homes

The French province, with its architecture of country houses in the Provence style, is probably known worldwide to lovers of country life and just romantics in love. A Provence-style home is, as a rule, a two-story cottage with a small cozy courtyard surrounded by traditionally rich green vegetation. The facades do not have a dedicated basement; they are finished with plaster and painted in light colors of beige, white, ocher paints. When designing in the french country style, the roofs of houses are assumed to be multi-pitched and covered with tiles. The porch is absent. There are only one or two steps or just an entrance as an extension of the cobblestone path to the house. But the doors and windows are massive, wooden with forged hinges and shutters. This is traditional for the Provence architectural style. The interior is full of romance, filled with ornaments of plants and flowers, simple and light.

Norman style homes

The Norman style is also called rustic; it is characteristic of the northern regions of the country. Elements of the Gothic style, cross-beams on the facade in the tradition of half-timbered houses, stone wall decor are the main features of the Norman style. 

Norman houses are also distinguished by a mass of decorations and a small conical turret, which makes the building look like a medieval castle. A distinctive feature of the Norman-style house is the presence of a hip roof and a significant slope.

French Chalet style homes

Closer to the border with Switzerland, chalet-style houses are prevalent. This is the name of the alpine cottages, erected initially for shepherds and keeping the herd. Chalets are most often built of stone on two floors and finished with wood. Mandatory style elements are a gable roof and verandas. The French Alps’ ski resorts are rich not only with excellent ski slopes but also with numerous traditional-style hotels. In the 21st century, chalets are the perfect combination of luxury and comfort.

Currently, country houses in this style are becoming more and more fashionable: a stone structure with turrets, large windows on the second floor, and outbuildings.

It is no secret to anyone that France is one of the countries whose architectural structures embody luxury, beauty, and sophistication of taste. For centuries, French masters have set the direction of architectural trends around the world, and they have set the fashion for the majority of interior design options. And to this day, the French architectural style continues to be in high demand. However, now, French houses are much more different from each other: in construction, they use different structures, different materials, it depends on the preferences of the potential customer of the project.

online interior design service
Give a new look to your room with our professional online interior design service
Modern Architectural Design Trends 2024
ArchitectureTrends
Modern Architectural Design Trends 2024

A lot has been said about interior design trends for the new season. Now is the time to discuss modern…

Modern Scandinavian-style house: floor plans, features and design ideas
ArchitectureScandinavian
Modern Scandinavian-style house: floor plans, features and design ideas

Man has always tried to make his home a comfort zone. Depending on the habitat and climatic conditions, there was…

Hampton style homes: the luxury and elegance you deserve
Architecture
Hampton style homes: the luxury and elegance you deserve

If you are looking for an exciting style and prefer light, uncluttered styles, turn your attention to the Hamptons design…