The Color of Shutters

The choice of color for your shutters here in Southwest France is a big one. The decision not only expresses your individual taste but also can help to identify your house. In my little village we have no street names or numbers. We simply describe the location of the house & the color of the shutters when giving an address. I always say that I live near the bridge with shutters the same color as the bridge.




The popularity of colors has changed over the years. When we first came 21 years ago, bright colors were popular, like the bright blue above or the salmon color below.


But more recently I have noticed that the choices are more subtle, like this lovely soft cream .....


.....or this pale blue.


There are of course many different shades of green. Can you see how tiny the door is in this photo? It is not much larger than the shutter next to it. Really!


Dawne had asked about mosquitoes at night since windows have no screens. Although we do leave our windows open, almost everyone closes or partially closes their shutters at night, so really it is not a great problem.


You will find too, that almost every window no matter how small has a shutter.The darker shade of green below is on thin metal shutters that fold up like an accordion.


Red used to be a much more popular color, but you do not see as many red shutters today.


You may encounter a more subtle shade of shutter combined with a red door, however.


I would not say that the shade of mauve below is a popular color, but you do see it from time to time. I have no idea how they open these shutters with the medieval security bars in the way.


I have always loved this combination of sunny yellow shutters paired with the soft colors of the stone.


Plain wooden shutters are probably the most common.


And then of course there are always the well worn shutters with lovely faded patinas.


No matter what color you choose, your shutters are an important part of your home here in France.


Have a great weekend everyone !!