Home Improvement Ideas Home Exteriors Curb Appeal Ideas, Makeovers and Photos 20 French Country Houses with European Elegance Indulge your inner Francophile with these country houses—and which architectural elements make it positively ooh-la-la. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 5, 2024 Close Photo: Brie Williams Simultaneously rustic and refined, the classic architectural elements of a French country house can be seen in the exterior of a quaint farmhouse to a grand chateau. We may not be able to replicate one in our neighborhood but we can mirror some aspects of what makes the outside of a French country house so charming. Take notes and get inspired by the homes below. 01 of 20 French Country Exterior Materials Emily Followill Many French country homes are defined by stone, brick, limestoned brick, or stucco exteriors. These sturdy, long-lasting siding materials offer a refined appearance and a sense of timelessness. The windows of French country houses often feature multiple panes and are sometimes accented by iron balconies. 02 of 20 French Country Home Roof Styles Brie Williams French country homes are often clearly identifiable by the style of the roof. One of the most common is the hip roof design. Typically a prominent part of the exterior's design, this style features four sloping sides that meet in a ridge along the top. 03 of 20 Modern French Country Homes Tria Giovan Modern French country home design applies the traditional elements of European architecture in fresh ways. This elegant multi-level house, for example, features the stone and stucco façade, sloped roof, and ornate details that are classic of the style. But black trim, windows, and doors give the home a crisp, modern edge. 9 Gorgeous Dark Front Door Colors That Will Convince You to Go Bold 04 of 20 New French Country House Brie Williams Aged materials and antique-inspired details combine to give this new French country home an old-world style. The stucco siding features a weathered finish and shutters painted in white that give the multi-paned windows a quaint look. Copper lanterns and fittings finish off the look of an old French manor. 05 of 20 French Country Symmetrical Exterior Details JULIE SOEFER Subtle details hint at the French country influences in this home's design, such as the symmetry between the windows and the balanced proportions. Stately white porch columns add prominence below a hip roof broken up by three dormers. French doors across the front are painted soft blue-gray, set off beautifully by the antique brick porch floor. 06 of 20 French Mediterranean-Style Homes Edmund Barr French-inspired homes share many notable characteristics with Mediterranean-style houses. Elaborate stonework, stucco siding, and intricately carved doors are standard for the two aesthetics. An ornate iron balcony draws extra attention to the front entrance of this French country house. 07 of 20 French-American Country Home Michael Garland With a mix of stone and stucco, this rambling chateau references the French country homes that inspired it. The steep mansard roofline and charming shutters are rooted in European style. But an inviting porch nods to classic American ranch homes, creating a unique marriage of architectural influences. 08 of 20 French Country Manor House Laurie Black Although built in the 21st century, this home looks as authentic as the 18th-century European manor house it was modeled after. Built in the courtyard vernacular, the home, like many others in the French countryside, contains a large square gravel forecourt. Its warm, honey-hued limestone ranges from white to caramel in color; a mixture of smooth and rough-cut pieces was used to create a traditional look. Rustic details, such as a simple portico and wrought-iron flourishes, add old-world panache. What Is a Front Door Portico? How to Add This Popular Exterior Upgrade 09 of 20 Country French Outdoor Living Spaces Ron Blunt A tonnelle, or pergola, attached to the side of a stone façade provides the perfect venue for casual alfresco dining and relaxing protected from the sun. Made of black hammered iron and topped with a bamboo roof, this pergola exudes French country style thanks to its pairing with French doors framed by shutters in a blue-gray shade. Climbing vines trained onto arched iron support poles further soften the view. A pea-gravel patio lends authentic sounds of the South of France underfoot. What Is a Pergola? Plus How to Choose the Right One for Your Yard 10 of 20 French Country-Style Home Entrance Michael Garland This Southern California home showcases French Country style, starting with a circa 1670 stone front door surround. The grounds are overflowing with espaliered apple trees, olive groves, and drifts of lavender. The exterior's low and rambling roofline is capped with 100-year-old red clay tiles. The gate and finials are 18th-century French antiques, but the French limestone pillars are new. 11 of 20 French Country Cottage Home Hedrich-Blessing Studio The roof of this house is built with 100-year-old slate and designed without gutters, soffits, or moldings for a more historically accurate cottage appearance. Leaded-glass windows with beveled, diagonal panes to the left of the front door flood the interior entry with light. The quintessentially French rounded front door features a custom-designed and hand-cast bronze doorknob. Cement-color stucco walls and hand-carved wood shutters complete the look. 12 of 20 French Country Home Exterior Claudio Santini The exterior of this French country home was fashioned from plaster mixed with pale sienna pigment, while the roof tiles were made by hand and shaped over the craftsman's thigh. The tiles were placed in the same angular way they are in France. They were left unglazed to allow moss to grow, another detail that adds to the overall pastoral look. The main house, guest cottage, and garage are all clustered around a courtyard and garden. 13 of 20 Colorful French Country House Michael Partenio A muted terra-cotta or burnt-peach shade, this home's exterior color changes with the sun and the rain, much as a Provençal sunset would. The color was chosen to give the petite French country chateau a gentle patina that disguises its newness. Traditional French architectural hallmarks, such as a stucco exterior, tall arched windows, and a Juliet balcony, further the historic illusion. 9 Arched Doorway Ideas That Will Elevate Your Home 14 of 20 French Country-Style Backyard Michael Garland Located in California, this home could easily be mistaken for one in the French countryside. Like a typical French country home, it exudes village warmth while maintaining its city sophistication. Surrounded by plants and edged in rocks, the swimming pool looks like a free-form pond. A stately cypress tree introduces quintessential European charm. 15 of 20 French Country Exterior Design Jenifer Jordan The goal of capturing maximum light guided the design of this French country home inside and out. On the front of the house, tall, shuttered windows with 20 and 24 panes recall French doors. A majestic pecan tree and leafy pergola filter the light and soften high-summer harshness. 16 of 20 French Country Home Landscaping Kim Cornelison A forecourt of large-pebble chert and a zigzag of stepping stones lead guests to the charming façade of this country French-style house. Lush vines climb up the stucco walls, and window boxes upstairs brim with geraniums and petunias. The red brick accents pleasantly contrast with the home's honey-drenched walls and mossy-colored shutters, imbuing the exterior with an old-world ambience. How to Make a Stepping-Stone Path 17 of 20 Country French-Style Front Porch Anthony Masterson This remodeled 1920s Colonial received a country French makeover. A barrel roof now crowns the home's new porch, and French blue shutters pop against the pale yellow exterior shade. The mahogany front door is capped with a Napoleon hat detail. 18 of 20 Timeless Country French Home Bob Greenspan Fitted with iron railings, this home's shutter-flanked windows pay homage to the charming balconies in many French apartment buildings. The late-1800s bluestone door surround was treated with a slush-and-brush technique to mimic repaired stone. Round windows from a French chateau help instill the distinguished character of a century-old villa in the new home. 19 of 20 Federal French-Style Home Gordon Beall Built in Federal style in the 19th century, this early American home was heavily influenced by French architecture. The home boasts French blue shutters, tall windows capped with window lintels, and cozy dormers on its uppermost level. The mansard roof, which features four double-sloped sides, is characteristic of French country homes. 20 of 20 Stone French Country-Style Home Helen Norman Stone is cleverly used as an accent to add distinction to this French country home's interesting architectural features. A large chimney, turret, front patio, and foundation are all impressive, thanks to a medley of warm stonework. Romantic arched windows, French doors, and shutters carry out the home's French-inspired theme, lending this home a patina well beyond its actual years. Interiors of a French Country House French country design doesn't stop at the front door. The French country-style interiors are as charming and delightful as the exteriors. In the kitchens, you'll find herringbone patterned floors, painted cabinets, and worn worktables that bring to mind a well-used family space. Throughout French country homes are much-loved antiques, natural fabrics, and usually at least a few touches of toile du jouy. Comfort and elegance are the recurring themes in these interiors. 11 of the Most Iconic Interior Design Styles You Need to Know Frequently Asked Questions What are the key differences between French country- and farmhouse-style homes? Though they share some similarities, French country style and farmhouse style are rather different. French country style is decidedly more refined, with romantic European details like pitched slate roofs, arches, and stately landscaping. Farmhouse-style homes are generally more casual and feature vintage-inspired accents like shiplap and raw wood. What are traditional French country colors? While there are a wide variety of colors that work with French country style, there are a few hues that remain constant. You'll often notice French country homes incorporate nature-inspired palettes, with shades of soft blue, grey, green, and yellow making frequent appearances. What materials are commonly used in French country design? French country design relies heavily on natural materials that will develop an aged patina beautifully over time, lending an effortless and timeless appeal to the look. Popular exterior options include slate roofs and stone or stucco facades, with materials like iron, brass, marble, and wood appearing indoors. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit