The French Riviera is best known for its picturesque coastal towns, luxurious resorts, and stunning architecture. The interior design and architecture of the French Riviera have been heavily influenced by the region’s history, culture, and climate.

One of the most iconic architectural styles associated with the French Riviera is the Belle Epoque style. This style, which emerged in the late 19th century, is characterised by ornate decoration, asymmetrical facades, and curved lines. Many of the grand hotels and resorts along the French Riviera were built in this style during the late 1800s and early 1900s, such as the Negresco in Nice, the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the Palais de la Méditerranée in Nice.

Another architectural style commonly found on the French Riviera is Art Deco. This style emerged in the 1920s and 30s and is characterised by geometric shapes, clean lines, and a focus on symmetry. Art Deco buildings on the French Riviera include the famous Casino in Cannes and the Villa La Belle Epoque in Nice.

Recently, designers have been mixing different styles, mixing contemporary and modern elements with traditional architecture. This approach is known as « contemporary classic » style, a combination of contemporary design with the timeless elegance of traditional architecture.

In terms of interior design, the French Riviera is known for its luxurious and opulent style, with many of the area’s grand hotels and resorts showcasing this aesthetic. French Riviera interiors can be characterised by the use of rich fabrics, such as silk and velvet, and luxurious finishes like gold and marble. The use of detailed and ornate decorations, such as intricate moldings, carvings, and gilding are also common in French Riviera interiors.

The Mediterranean climate of the French Riviera has also had a big impact on interior design, the use of light colours and natural materials such as stone and wood in the decor to reflect the light and keep the interiors cool, also the use of terracotta and warm oranges is common to create a sense of warmth and coziness. Some popular features or trends seen in this region include:

Use of natural materials: Many homes on the French Riviera feature natural materials such as wood, stone, and marble. Materials like these are often used to create a sense of warmth and timeless elegance.

Bright and bold colours. The French Riviera is known for its bright and sunny climate. Reflected in the colour schemes of many homes is this nod a warmer region. Colours such as blue, yellow and white are used often to create a light and airy feeling, especially for the coastal area.

Mix of vintage and modern elements: The French Riviera is home to many historic buildings and sites. Many interior designers incorporate vintage elements into their work to pay homage to the region’s past. But also is common to see this vintage elements combined with contemporary designs.

Use of wrought iron and glass. Wrought iron and glass are often used to create elegant and refined detailing, such as balustrades and window frames.

Indoor-outdoor. Many homes on the French Riviera feature large windows, sliding glass doors, and terraces or balconies. This allows flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Provencal influences. The south of France is known for its Provencal style which is characterized by rustic, natural materials and earthy colours. This influence can be seen in many interiors in the French Riviera.

Keep in mind that these are generalisations and not all homes in the area have to have all these features. But it is common to see some of them featured the interiors.

To see more of our news and blog posts, follow the link HERE. Additionally, if you want to keep up to date with the progress on our projects you can follow us on Instagram. We regularly post updates on our international projects!