23 French Country Christmas Tree Decor Ideas

A French country Christmas tree is not, to me, the kind of tree that looks too perfect or too “theme store”.

As a French woman, I tend to prefer Christmas decor that feels a little more collected.

What I love most is when it looks like the ornaments could have been gathered over time: a few mercury glass baubles, a velvet bow, an old-looking bell, a porcelain ornament, a natural branch, or a wrapped gift in simple paper under the tree.

And the base matters more than people think.

A French country Christmas tree in a basket, an antique urn, a terracotta pot, a galvanized tub, or a blue and white planter immediately feels more special than a tree with a basic skirt.

In this article, we’ll look at French country Christmas tree ideas through two things that make the biggest difference: the color palette and the container.

French Country Christmas Tree Decorations

I have provided a direct paid link wherever possible so that you can easily shop and decorate.

The Holiday Aisle® 6 Piece Tree Glass Ball Ornament Set & Reviews | Wayfair

SJDFCSA Chinoiserie Dachshund Ornament, Dachshund Doxie Gifts for Women Hanging Ornaments for Christmas Tree Holiday Party Decorations, Grandmillennial Weiner Dog Decorative Ornaments Keepsake TCP

Mark Roberts Christmas Tree Fashion Lady - 16.5 Inches | Wayfair

The Holiday Aisle® Royal ornament-fountainebleau | Wayfair

Villeroy & Boch Toys Delight Decoration Ornaments: Tableware, Set/3 & Reviews | Wayfair

The Holiday Aisle® 4-6" Glass With Ball and Finial Ornament Set of 6 | Wayfair

Park Hill Collection Joyeux Noel Park Hill Collection No Pattern Hanging Figurine Ornament | Wayfair

Cindeer 6 Pcs Blue and White Christmas Porcelain Balls, Stylish Style

If you want more general tree inspiration too, you can also browse these Christmas tree ideas for other styles and themes.

I. French Country Christmas Tree Ideas: Start With the Right Color Palette

The color palette is where I would always begin.

A French country Christmas tree can be blue and white, cream and gold, burgundy and ivory, or much more natural with terracotta, greenery, citrus, and soft antique colors.

But I would avoid mixing too many ideas at once.

The most beautiful trees usually have a clear direction.

Not necessarily a strict theme, but a feeling.

Once you choose that direction, it becomes much easier to shop for ribbon, ornaments, bells, lights, and wrapping paper.

1. Blue French Country Christmas Tree

A blue Christmas tree can be absolutely beautiful in a French country home, but the blue needs to feel connected to the rest of the room.

To me, the prettiest version is not a tree covered only in blue ornaments.

It is softer than that.

I would mix blue with white, cream, silver, brass, and sometimes a little red or burgundy. That is what keeps the tree from looking too cold.

Use Blue and White Ornaments for a Collected Look

Blue and white ornaments are the easiest way to make a blue Christmas tree feel French country.

I would look for porcelain-style baubles, chinoiserie ornaments, blue floral medallions, white ornaments with blue patterns, and small ceramic pieces that look more collected than perfectly matching.

This is what makes the tree feel more special.

The blue is not just a color.

It becomes part of the room, especially if you already have blue and white ceramics, ginger jars, a blue patterned rug, or a few blue pillows nearby.

Add Blue Velvet Ribbon for Movement

Ribbon is what gives a blue French country Christmas tree that generous, finished look.

I would use velvet ribbon if you want the tree to feel richer.

Pale blue velvet feels soft and elegant.

Deeper blue velvet feels more dramatic, especially with brass bells or red ornaments.

You can use ribbon in two ways.

Long ribbon pieces can fall down the tree in soft vertical lines.

This works beautifully on a tall tree and makes it feel more graceful.

Or you can use large blue bows placed throughout the branches.

This gives the tree more structure and works especially well if the ornaments are smaller.

The key is to make the ribbon large enough.

Warm Up the Blue With Brass, Cream, or Burgundy

A blue Christmas tree can look a little icy if everything is blue, white, and silver.

That is why I like to warm it up.

Brass bells, antique gold ornaments, cream bows, ivory wrapped gifts, or a few burgundy baubles can make the tree feel much more French country.

Repeat Blue Around the Tree

For a blue French country Christmas tree to feel intentional, repeat the blue around the tree.

This can be very simple.

Use blue ribbon on the wrapped gifts.

Place the tree in a blue and white planter.

Add a blue and white vase on a nearby console.

Use a blue pillow on the sofa.

Or place a bowl of blue and silver ornaments on the coffee table.

2. Warm Antique Neutrals: Cream, Gold, Champagne, and Brass

If you want a French country Christmas tree that feels elegant but not cold, warm antique neutrals are a beautiful choice.

This palette works with cream ribbon, champagne ornaments, antique gold baubles, brass bells, mercury glass, ivory bows, and soft warm lights.

It is not bright yellow gold.

It is more muted: aged brass, old gold, champagne, pearl, cream, and a little faded silver.

These colors look especially pretty in a living room with antique furniture, old books, linen curtains, carved wood, or a gold mirror.

Ribbon is very important here.

Cream ribbon with long tails softens the whole tree.

It gives movement and keeps the ornaments from feeling too formal.

I would use fewer ornaments and better ribbon rather than filling every branch with matching baubles.

3. Natural French Country Colors: Burgundy, Green, Terracotta, Citrus, and Blush

For a more natural French country Christmas tree, I would choose colors that feel like they could come from the house, the garden, or the kitchen.

Burgundy velvet, olive green, terracotta, dried orange, muted gold, faded blush, and soft cream all work beautifully together when they are used carefully.

This is the palette I would choose for a more rustic or farmhouse French country tree.

The natural palette should not feel too perfect.

I like when it has a little variation: some matte ornaments, some shiny ones, a few dried orange slices, a few bells, a few pinecones, and ribbon that does not look too stiff.

II. Choose the Right Container for a French Country Christmas Tree

The container is one of the details that changes everything.

A simple Christmas tree can suddenly feel much more French country when it is placed in a basket, an antique urn, a terracotta pot, a galvanized tub, or a blue and white planter.

To me, the base should feel as considered as the ornaments.

A basic tree skirt can work, of course, but if you want that collected French country look, I would always think about the container first.

1. Use an Antique Urn for an Elegant French Country Christmas Tree

An antique-style urn gives a Christmas tree so much presence.

It makes the tree feel more decorative, almost like it belongs in an old entryway, garden room, library, or formal living room.

The tree does not need to be overly full either.

In fact, a slightly natural tree shape can look even better in an urn because it feels less stiff.

2. Try a Blue and White Planter for a French Country Blue Christmas Tree

For a blue French country Christmas tree, a blue and white planter is one of the prettiest choices.

It immediately connects the tree to the rest of the room, especially if you already have blue and white ceramics, chinoiserie pieces, or a blue patterned rug nearby.

This is why I love this look so much.

The container does part of the decorating for you.

The best pieces to shop for are a large blue and white planter, a chinoiserie-style cachepot, a ceramic urn, or even a ginger jar-inspired pot if the tree is smaller.