Photo by Mathilde Lebarbenchon
As the light begins to fade earlier each day, our homes undergo a quiet shift. Curtains are drawn earlier, candles find their way back onto mantels and the soft light of lamps fills the evening hours. The French have always understood that lighting is more than function — it’s feeling. It shapes how we inhabit our homes, how we eat, rest and gather as the seasons change.
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To the French, light is an essential part of l’art de vivre, something to be cultivated as carefully as a meal, or the scent of a space. In fall, especially, it becomes the heart of the home, choreographed from room to room to create a pleasant sense of enclosure against the cold. Yet even then, the goal is not necessarily to add brightness, but create mood; to invite presence rather than precision.
From the soft gleam of a chandelier to the flicker of a single candle, here’s how the French master the art of illumination, and how you can bring that same cozy glow into your own home this fall.
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1. Perfecting general lighting
When it comes to creating a lighting plan, overhead lights are naturally a good place to start. In French homes, they’re rarely relied on as the only source of light, which is why French rooms are never blindingly bright — a little shadow is part of the mood. Even in the most modern apartments, recessed spotlights are avoided.
Instead, fixtures are chosen for their striking personality and ability to produce a gently diffused glow. Antique crystal chandeliers remain enduring favourites, their faceted drops scattering a romantic shimmer across the walls. Alternatively, sculptural pendants in rattan, glass, porcelain or hand-forged metal bring a tactile edge to modern homes, their form and texture as beautiful as the light they cast.
2. Sconces as Wall Art
In France, sconces are more than secondary light sources. Often at eye level, they’re artistic statements, often created in gilded bronze, aged iron, patinated brass or ethereal alabaster. Placed thoughtfully beside mirrors, paintings, or along a hallway, they bring depth and softness to the vertical planes of a room, complementing both antique and contemporary interiors. Though less statement than ceiling lights, their beauty is in their details, drawing the eye around the space and brightening unlit corners.
3. Lots of Lamps
As evening falls, the French instinctively turn to lamps. You’ll find them everywhere — on consoles, beside armchairs, even tucked on kitchen countertops — each one casting a soft, golden pool of light. Lamps are an essential part of the French lighting plan, bridging the gap between practical illumination and atmosphere. From table lamps to floor lamps, they bring the light to a lower level, creating intimacy with or without additional lighting.
Pro Tip: Fabric shades are key in creating a cosy feel, filtering light into something gentle and enveloping.
4. Clever Candlelight
Candles are a final — and essential — touch, bringing warmth and movement to still fall evenings. The French love to play with height and form, and at home, candles are not just used for light but for composition. Tall holders and candelabras bring a sculptural note to mantels and dining tables, raising the eye and spirits, while smaller votives and softly scented candles add intimacy to bedsides and corners. Their flicker catches on glass and metal, softening the room and lending it that quiet, golden glow that feels especially welcome on darker nights.
5. Extending the Glow
As daylight fades, terraces and balconies begin to glow — not with harsh electric light, but the soft shimmer of cast-iron lanterns and brass lamps, their glass panels protecting the flame from the wind. These pieces are chosen as carefully as indoor lighting. Antique and patinated, they harmonize with the architecture and extend the feeling of the interior outdoors. Set on tables or low amongst terracotta pots, they invite lingering conversation all year-round.
