Roots of Style: French Eclectic Design Continues to Charm

Original French eclectic architecture began in the early 20th century and remained popular for about 30 years. Americans romanticized the forms, shapes and details they saw in France, borrowing themes from a long and rich history of domestic architecture.

For this reason there are three principal subtypes of this style.

Symmetrical designs, the first, developed out of Renaissance fashions and were often inspired by manor houses and even royal palaces. The preceding extravagant Beaux-Arts and chateauesque styles also provoked the appetite for French architecture in the following generation. Asymmetrical examples sometimes married Renaissance detailing and a less formal medieval massing.

Towered versions were inspired by French local styles in regions such as Normandy and Brittany. Most interestingly, medieval forms persisted through Renaissance influences in all of these subtypes. The unifying distinction in this style is a prominent, and often steep, hip roof.

Early-20th-century examples could be picturesque, mimicking the character of country cottages and farmhouses, or they could be very formal, with Renaissance classical detailing and carefully ordered and proportioned elevations. Some of the picturesque examples have characteristics similar to those of medieval English architecture, while formal examples share characteristics with Italian Renaissance buildings.

In the middle of the 20th century, the style dissipated in popularity. French style returned in the 1960s and '70s in the form of the mansard roof. This cousin to French eclectic more frequently appeared with little attention to correct proportion and detail as found in original French eclectic examples. Not until the late 20th century did more carefully considered French eclectic return to favor, among many other revivals of traditional styles as modernism waned.

Symmetrical French Eclectic

Though not as dominant a style as Spanish eclectic or colonial, French eclectic has been revived in all of its original forms in the past 20 years. These neoeclectic examples are found throughout the country and often are commissioned individually, which adds to the variety.

The stone-clad symmetrical example here feels ordered and balanced, yet its intimate scale and charming details relate well. Note these French eclectic details: prominent chimney, round dormers with oval windows, flared eave, Renaissance classical detailing, segmented arches and casement windows. Special to this house is the prominent arched pediment with a detailed relief.


Similar in scale to the previous example, this stucco-clad house varies in a few details but has the same belt line and prominent chimneys. The arch-topped dormers reflect the shape of the lower-level windows.

The upper-floor windows are uniquely grouped but still carefully balanced in the front view. The classical entrance porch further designates its formality. The modest proportions of the windows and the entrance design keep the scale intimate.


Roof materials can be slate, flat tile or wood, as in this house, giving it a country flavor. Notice the use of shutters in contrast to the other examples, placed only on the primary group of French windows. These French casement windows extending to the floor evolved into what we commonly refer to as the French door. The unusually shaped dormers further individualize this house.


As in the first example, this symmetrical design (not considering the commonly added wings to one or both sides) establishes a highly organized set of elements. The quoins frequently found in French eclectic designs formalize the outline of the exterior view, or elevation. The hip dormer, a third type found in the style, rests atop the primary roof, while an arched wall dormer pierces the eave line of the second level.


Asymmetrical French Eclectic

This second subtype comprises most examples of the French eclectic homes you'll see. Infinite variations unite under the signature hip roof form and the use of several types and sizes of dormers.

Handsomely covered in stone and topped with a slate roof, this elegant house achieves a moderately formal air but provides unique visual interest with its varied window shapes and sizes. Note the oval windows set in round-top dormers and the delightful play of the roofline.

A mansard-shape roof element cleverly draws attention to the centered location of the entrance with lovely arched French casement windows above. The massive chimney and multiple eave lines illustrate other elements common to this asymmetrical subtype.


Combinations of brick and stone like this are common throughout the style. Nicely detailed gutters and downspouts further contribute to this home's character. Few styles accept a combination of complex elevations and rooflines without feeling cluttered.


Also, few styles encompass broad variations of their theme suited to both city and country architecture. Clearly inspired by French country houses, this delightful Norman-style cottage features a strongly dominant roof and intimately scaled dormers of two types and sizes, all set atop a simply stuccoed rectangular frame with small windows (in this case, two leaded casement windows) and an intimate entrance.


This complex example joins symmetry, asymmetry and many French eclectic elements for a sumptuous experience. Unified by a redbrick exterior and handsome black trim, a central symmetrical block anchors the composition. Signature elements such as segmented arched windows, flared and varying eaves, and a classical entrance surround are all found here. Note that hip, gable and arch dormers are all present.


Towered French Eclectic

The towered version, the least-common type of French eclectic style, reaches back to the medieval past for inspiration. These elements were inspired by medieval fortified compounds found in French rural settings.

Most have the tower as the main entrance, with simple wooden arched doors along with a segmented arched inset. In this example stone clads the tower and is mixed with stucco on other exterior walls. All other elements found in the asymmetrical type are here as well. Note the stucco with the stone inset to achieve an old-world look.


Typical elements apply to this contemporary version. However, the towered elevation is symmetrical, in stark contrast to typical designs. The architects have also created a unique element with the eyebrow roofs over the two bay windows.


This house references the English Tudor style, which shares some of the characteristics of French eclectic. The forward-facing gable is found less often, but half-timber elements and patterned brick exteriors can be found in early-20th-century originals.


Here the architects have combined a tower element with an otherwise symmetrical primary elevation. Massive brick chimneys, stucco with brick detailing and hipped dormers contribute to the French eclectic theme.

The French eclectic style persisted through much of the 20th century, though it was less popular than many other styles. Most homes in this style were custom built during times of prosperity, as the complexity of the fashion adds to the cost of construction. More recent examples are usually found on individually developed parcels in high-end neighborhoods. A few modest early-1900s houses exist in popular locations.

Because of the combination and variations of the elements, these houses rarely appear to resemble one another. As mentioned earlier, the prominent hipped roof signals the style's designation, along with appropriately scaled details. Because of these attributes, the style continues to charm and invite many homeowners.

More: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?

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