France sits at the crossroads of craftsmanship, culture, and contemporary taste. From grand Haussmann apartments to Riviera retreats and Provençal mas, French interior design fuses heritage with innovation—and the country’s leading designers set the tone for clients and creatives worldwide.

Below, discover 10 French interior designers whose work shapes how we live now—plus how to translate their thinking into your own project with LVE-Design.

How We Selected (EEAT Methodology)

We prioritised:

• Pedigree & recognition (major commissions, AD100/press recognition).

• Distinct design language (clear, repeatable signatures).

• Range & impact (residential + hospitality/retail influence).

• Longevity & innovation (a body of work that evolves without trend-chasing).

Want help choosing the right direction for your home in France or Spain? Explore our interior design services or view real outcomes in our project portfolio.

1. Philippe Starck: Bold & Innovative

Philippe Starck is arguably France’s most famous design export, a polymath whose influence spans hotels, restaurants, furniture, and everyday objects. His approach to interiors is less about decoration and more about creating an experience: each project tells a story, blending humour, poetry, and subversion. Starck believes in “democratic design”—that good design should be accessible—yet his luxury interiors remain highly sought after by global brands and hoteliers.

Notable projects include the Royalton Hotel in New York, Mama Shelter hotels across Europe, and the renovation of the Élysée Palace private apartments in Paris. His designs often feature unexpected juxtapositions—futuristic plastics paired with neoclassical silhouettes, or flamboyant patterns within austere frameworks—ensuring his work is instantly recognisable. Starck’s relentless curiosity and innovation keep him at the forefront of design, making him a true cultural force in France and beyond.

2. Jean-Louis Deniot: Sophisticated Livability

Jean-Louis Deniot has become a global authority on French interiors, consistently featured on the AD100 and Elle Décor A-List. His design language is rooted in classical proportion and symmetry but softened through contemporary details and a sense of ease. Known for calm palettes, luxurious finishes, and carefully curated art, Deniot’s interiors feel timeless—spaces that appear as though they’ve always belonged, yet never feel dated.

His Paris-based studio works across residential, hospitality, and commercial design, with projects that include the Château Latour winery for François Pinault, the Waldorf Astoria in New York, and a portfolio of private residences in London, India, and the United States. Deniot’s interiors balance serenity with drama, creating layers of history and narrative without ever overwhelming the senses. This sophistication has earned him one of the most respected reputations in contemporary French design.

3. India Mahdavi: Playful Chic

India Mahdavi, often hailed as the “Queen of Colour,” is a designer who has redefined the language of contemporary French interiors. Born in Iran and raised across the U.S. and Europe, Mahdavi brings a cosmopolitan perspective to her work, expressed through bold palettes, sculptural furniture, and a playful yet sophisticated sensibility. Her designs are both joyful and confident, demonstrating that luxury need not be austere.

Among her most iconic projects are Sketch London’s famous pink gallery, which became a cultural phenomenon, and the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, which she infused with vibrant hues and fluid forms. Mahdavi’s work consistently receives coverage in Dezeen, Wallpaper, and Architectural Digest, cementing her reputation as one of the world’s most influential designers. Her interiors embody optimism and individuality, offering spaces that feel at once avant-garde and deeply inviting.

4. Jacques Grange: Timeless Eclecticism

Few designers can claim the cultural stature of Jacques Grange, whose career spans more than four decades and whose client list reads like a who’s who of global art and fashion. Trained under the legendary Henri Samuel, Grange honed a style that is both eclectic and refined, mixing antiques from the 18th century with modern art and bespoke contemporary pieces. His interiors exude effortless grandeur, the result of deep connoisseurship rather than formula.

Grange’s work includes the homes of Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, and Valentino, as well as the Palais Royal apartment in Paris that has been hailed as one of the greatest interiors of the 20th century. His ability to harmonise eras, textures, and cultures into coherent yet layered spaces has made him one of France’s most revered living designers. His interiors are never contrived; instead, they feel like rich narratives built over time, full of history and meaning.

5. Joseph Dirand: Minimalist Grandeur

Joseph Dirand represents the pinnacle of French minimalism, though his work is far from cold or austere. He uses space, light, and materiality with cinematic precision, treating interiors as carefully composed frames. His preference for honed marbles, muted tones, and sculptural furniture creates a sense of architectural calm that appeals to collectors, hoteliers, and fashion houses alike.

Dirand’s notable commissions include the Balmain store in Paris, Balenciaga’s Tokyo flagship, and luxury hotels such as The Surf Club in Miami. He has also designed residences for high-profile clients across Europe and the Middle East. His projects often feature striking contrasts—slabs of veined marble against monochrome palettes, or sharp architectural lines softened by ambient light. Recognised by the Business of Fashion 500 and profiled extensively in Architectural Digest, Dirand continues to set the global standard for minimalist luxury.

6. Pierre Yovanovitch: Warm Precision

Pierre Yovanovitch has built a reputation for interiors that combine rigor with warmth, crafting spaces that are at once precise and inviting. A former fashion designer, Yovanovitch transitioned into interiors and quickly became one of France’s most respected talents. His hallmark is a commitment to craftsmanship and bespoke detail: from custom furniture to carefully integrated art, each project feels unique and deeply personal.

One of his signature achievements is the restoration of Château de Fabrègues in Provence, which showcased his ability to create immersive environments that honour history while speaking to modern luxury. His work often features natural materials like wood, stone, and linen, elevated through sculptural forms and subtle detailing. Yovanovitch’s interiors are intimate yet grand, resonating with clients who seek authenticity and artistry in equal measure.

7. François Champsaur: Architectural Harmony

François Champsaur is a designer whose architectural sensibility shapes every project. Born in Marseille, he often draws on his Mediterranean roots to create interiors that blur the line between inside and outside. Light, volume, and rhythm define his spaces, which feel airy and uplifting while retaining a sense of precision.

Champsaur’s portfolio spans from private homes in Provence and Paris to hotels such as the Hôtel Vernet and the Hôtel Montalembert. He is known for his ability to transform historic buildings into contemporary living spaces without losing their soul. Publications like Elle Décor and Maison Française frequently highlight his work for its elegance and functionality. Champsaur’s designs demonstrate how interiors can be both deeply local and globally resonant, rooted in French culture while appealing to international sensibilities.

8. Sarah Lavoine: Vibrant Harmony

Sarah Lavoine has become a household name in contemporary French design, recognised for her chic yet approachable aesthetic. Her interiors embody Parisian sophistication, but with an emphasis on comfort, functionality, and colour. Lavoine often works with bold contrasts—deep blues against whites, natural woods against lacquered finishes—to create spaces that are dynamic yet balanced.

Her portfolio includes projects like the Saint James Hotel in Paris, flagship boutiques for brands like Cartier, and a wide range of private residences. Lavoine has also built a successful lifestyle brand, offering furniture, textiles, and paint collections that bring her signature style to a wider audience. Frequently featured in Vogue Living and Architectural Digest, her work exemplifies how modern luxury can be both stylish and livable, appealing to a new generation of design-conscious clients.

9. Charles Zana: Artful Modernism

Charles Zana stands at the intersection of architecture, art, and interior design. Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he approaches each project with an eye for structural clarity and artistic integration. Zana’s interiors often feel like galleries, with clean volumes and refined materials serving as backdrops for contemporary art and bespoke furniture.

His work includes residences across Europe and the United States, as well as exhibitions and cultural projects that highlight his versatility. Publications such as Wallpaper* and Architectural Digest have praised Zana’s ability to balance modernism with a sense of intimacy, creating spaces that are minimalist but never cold. His interiors are defined by sculptural calm and precise detailing, making him a favourite among collectors and design aficionados.

10. Tristan Auer: Bespoke Theatricality

Tristan Auer is known for bringing a sense of drama and storytelling to interiors, often described as couture for the home. A former protégé of Christian Liaigre, Auer founded his own studio in 2002 and has since developed a portfolio that ranges from private residences to luxury hotels and boutiques. His style combines bespoke millwork, sumptuous textures, and an eye for theatrical detail, resulting in interiors that feel luxurious yet deeply personal.

Notable projects include the Hotel de Crillon in Paris, La Reserve Eden au Lac in Zurich, and a series of high-profile private residences. His work has been recognised in the AD100 and celebrated for its ability to blend romance, innovation, and meticulous craftsmanship. Auer’s interiors carry a sense of performance, where each space unfolds like a stage set, carefully designed to reflect the lives and desires of his clients.

Design Fairs & Resources

• Maison&Objet (Paris) – anchor fair for interior decoration and lifestyle: overview, Programme

• Salone del Mobile (Milan) – global benchmark for furniture/design: official

How LVE-Design Can Help (Post-List)

Looking to blend French refinement with Mediterranean ease—or to adapt any of the looks above to your life? Our team works across France and Spain, collaborating with artisans and integrating smart, sustainable systems within heritage architecture.

Explore our project portfolio, review our interior design services, learn more about the studio, or contact us to begin a tailored concept workshop in Paris, Provence, the Riviera, or Marbella.