A Country French House: Authentic Elements

This beautiful home pictured above is located in the French countryside. Typical of the many homes that dot the landscape, this home didn't start out this large, but has been added to over the years. The original structure most likely housed animals on the ground floor and humans on the second. This type of architecture is gaining in popularity in America. In neighborhood after neighborhood, you can find French styled houses. Usually, these homes are characterized by a stuccoed facade, arched french windows, and a high pitched roof.

Unfortunately when some Americans try to copy the architecture of the simple French country house, it usually ends up too fancy, too contrived, or too forced. The beauty of an authentic French country house lies in its simple lines, it stone facade, its charming windows, the wood or stone floor, the tiled roof, the stone fireplaces. What are the elements that make up a true French country home? Here are some of the more important elements that should be included if you are planning to create an accurate country French home:

Wood floors are an important element of the French look. Here a floor of reclaimed wood laid in a chevron pattern, is typically French.

The traditional Versailles patterned parquet wood floor.


Another floor that is popular in the French countryside is that made of terra cotta. These tiles above are laid in the running board pattern.


Here, a reclaimed limestone floor is laid in a traditional pattern.


Another terra cotta pattern. This is a popular choice in kitchens and family rooms.


No, these are not horse teeth! These are authentic roof tiles taken from a house in the French countryside. While having a roof made of tiles (new or old) is extremely expensive, nothing says authentic French more than these roof tiles.


A limestone mantelpiece. This particular mantel is actually a reproduction.


Another style of a French mantle. Note how deep it is. These types of mantles give a commanding presence to a room.

A stone mantle. Note how high it is, reaching almost to the top of the door.

A French home's foyer showing multiple important elements. A staircase made of limestone as opposed to wood. The banister is made of iron in a curved pattern to offset the straight lines of the risers. The floor is cream colored limestone with insets of black marble.

A second floor landing showing a close up of the iron banister, terra cotta tile floor, and lantern.

A typical ceiling in an older French home shows the exposed rafters. This is a true beamed ceiling, a look that is often copied. The beauty of this original ceiling would be hard to fake.

Elements in a fancier French country home: Versailles patterned wood floor, large french doors, beamed ceiling painted white. The beauty of this room is in it's contrasts: the dark painted walls against the white painted paneling; the simple white tablecloth versus the dressy crystal chandelier; the highly detailed patterned floor with the plain sisal rug.

Windows are a very important element that should be as authentic as possible. These windows open like doors as opposed to windows that raise and lower.

Typical low ceiling of many country homes restored from former animal living quarters. Often, the ceiling heights on the ground floors will be very low. Here the owners have extended the stucco to cover, not just the walls, but also the ceilings. Rooms with these types of low ceilings often have a cave like atmosphere. Terra cotta tiles are laid on the diagonal. Since these structures are made of stone, not wood, the depth of the walls can be extremely thick. The thickness can be observed where the wall meets the window. This type of wall thickness is hard to copy. There are ways to "fake" wall thickness, but the walls will never have the solid feel of real stone.

Charming bedroom: authentic elements are the stucco walls and terra cotta floors.

A typical country french house. Authentic elements to copy: wood shutters, without the typical American slats, terra cotta roof tiles, crushed limestone drive instead of concrete, absence of landscaping around the house.

Authentic French country home: french doors instead of windows, wood shutters, straight lines, terra cotta tiled roof. This home is located in the southern or Provencal part of France.


Close up view of authentic French shutters. These shutters are built to be used, and are not just for decoration. Most are painted a vibrant shade of blue.



Another blue shuttered, straight lined facade, terra cotta roof French country home. Note again, the absence of landscaping bushes surrounding the front.



Many country homes are reached by an allee of trees. What a wonderful way to reach home.

Reclaimed barn, now used as a country home. Large, crushed stone patio surrounds the house with the blue shutters and tiled roof. This home has it's stone facade exposed as opposed to stuccoed.


Here is a departure from the norm: Pale painted shutters, french windows instead of french doors. But the long, straight line of the facade gives it the distinctive country French look.


One type of a French fountain, a must in the French garden. Again, crushed limestone is used instead of pavers, tiles, or concrete.



An outdoor buffet of wine and cheese in Southern France.

Another fountain design, to be placed against a wall. This fountain is actually a reproduction, not an antique.



The fountain in a secret garden setting. When a fountain is placed in a hidden garden, the sound of the water draws you to the fountain, as opposed to seeing it first.


Here is an American "vision" of a country French home, for sale - it was advertised as a "French Beauty." With it's leather recliner, hideous book cases, wall to wall carpet, plain vanilla walls - this could be a charming room, instead it is totally uninspiring. The basic elements are there - a lovely mantel, ceiling beams, high ceilings - instead these Americans have no clue how to make their house, as advertised, a "French beauty."

Lest you think it is just Americans who can ruin a good room, take a look at this disaster. A home located in the south of France, this room has gorgeous moldings, niches, fireplace, mirror, french windows, Versailles patterned wood floor - yet it is a total disaster. A black leather sectional spars against a matching yellow leather sectional. Matching white lacquer tables finish off the less than passable decor. This room has everything going for it, yet the owners are either unaware of the room's beauty, or they happen to like tacky furniture. Either way, it's such a shame to ruin a gorgeous room that has so much potential.


Here's a French country house that DID get it right: the entry has beautiful French doors, distinctive molding above the door, terra cotta tile, painted ceiling, and a minimum of furniture and accessories.

Another country French house - here the living room is shown, appropriately casual for country living. French elements include stuccoed walls, beamed ceilings, and terra cotta tiled floors. An antique canopied daybed lends a romantic touch, as does the baby grand piano.

This country French dining room shows the essential elements: fireplace mantel, limestone floor, low stuccoed ceiling, and French windows. The fancy crystal chandelier plays against the simple chairs and rustic planters.

Here a country French house shows it's relaxed style by using cream painted antiques, rustic tables, cream colored dinnerware, and bushes instead of flowers. Though the style is comfortable, the antiques give it an air of sophistication.


Here, an American tries and succeeds in getting the country French look "right." Wood floors and stuccoed walls, along with French windows and arched doors lend important elements to the house. The furniture, though gives the true French feel to the house. The antique French settee and chairs are both painted cream, typical of the furniture found in the French countryside. The painted, oversized trumeau is the crowning touch to this living room. Hydrangeas in a patinaed green vase add the romance.

Another American house going in the right direction: French doors, wood floors, cream painted antique chairs and rustic buffet. This dining room is so relaxed and soothing, it would look totally at home on the French cote de sud.