Provence tablecloths

February 10, 2026

Our catalog is mostly dedicated to the sale of French Provençal table and kitchen linens. 

So, what is so special about these?
I remember once trying to explain to an American friend what French Provençal linens were and what made them different from linens from other French regions or other countries. It was difficult to pinpoint what makes a fabric a French Provençal fabric. Sure, they are colorful, they are made of high-quality cotton, they have representations of plants and flowers, but so do others. Then I decided to use the analogy of the Hawaiian shirt and suddenly my friend got it! There are plenty of men shirts with prints in the world, but you know a Hawaiian shirt when you see one! The same is true with Provençal prints: they are an undeniably unique style! Just like Hawaiian shirts, Provençal fabrics represent a destination, a way of life, perhaps even a dream!

Provençal fabrics follow a long tradition dating back from medieval times, but the prints we think of today can be traced back to events that took place during the last four centuries. 

In the seventeenth century, the Port of Marseille saw a dramatic increase in the import of printed cotton fabrics from India. These fabrics became known as indiennes in France. The prints were, and still are, made with wooden blocks that are used to print different colors onto the fabric by hand. Indiennes prints on light, strong cotton fabrics became so popular that fabric manufacturers around Marseille started making their own versions.

Tumultuous times ensued, including a period of prohibition of these fabrics, but over time the prints were adapted to reflect the local region. By the eighteenth century, the “modern” French Provençal style started taking shape. The prints became inspired by local flora and sometimes fauna. Olives, lemons, sunflowers, mimosa, wheat, cicadas, honeybees, and more were added to the beautiful designs. Some traditional Indian design elements, such as paisleys, were kept as part of these new Provençal prints. Bold colors inspired by nature included golden yellow (the omnipresent Provençal sun), indigo blue (the Mediterranean sea), terracotta (the sun-drenched landscape), and olive green (olives are a major crop in Provence). 

Where indiennes prints were mostly all-over patterns repeated over the surface of the fabric, the Provençal designs added geometric and artistic elements such as lines and scrolls to the designs. The designs were also organized in sections using these elements as borders.  More recently, another type of cotton fabric featuring similar designs and colors called jacquard became popular alongside the traditional printed fabrics.

Many products have been made with these prints in Provence, but today their main use is for everyday home décor in the shape of tablecloths, napkins, placemats, kitchen towels, and more. Many of the tablecloths, placemats and runners we carry are coated with a thin layer of acrylic to reduce the need for laundering. Napkins and kitchen towels are never coated so they remain absorbent. Many of the Provençal designs also include a sister fabric. It is a simpler, coordinated design that is used for napkins as well as the back of placemats or seat cushions. It is usually an all-over pattern that is part of the main fabric.

Trends come and go and these prints change from time to time, but for the most part, traditional Provençal prints seem to be immune to the whims of fashion.

In Provence, these prints are everywhere. You can purchase them at any street fair or market and in many small and large retail stores. As soon as you leave Provence it becomes much harder to find them. Even in France, if you live in a different region, you may have to order them online or drive down to get them in person.

Provence is one of the main tourism destinations in France. Every year, thousands of these printed fabric products make their way in suitcases to every corner of the world, including the United States. Our goal is to provide these same authentic products to American shoppers and beyond in a practical and cost-effective manner.

We take care of the headache of shipping them and importing them and we keep them in inventory in our warehouse in Southern California.  You can easily purchase them on our website, or you can order them by phone if you prefer.

From Provence to your table, we want to become your shopping partner!

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