French Bergere Chairs

Chloe Hughes Interior Design Expert

Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.

Updated 10/04/2021

Elegant and stylish, French Bergere chairs are a wonderful way to accent your home. Sit in them; they are very comfortable. Or don't and use them as a nice piece of the decor. Either way, you will never regret having added one of these to your decorative scheme and that is a promise. Just be sure to protect them. See our collection for all the options.

Buying Guide

French Bergere chairs are antique designs that can bring the magic of French elegance into your home. The chairs come in different types and are mostly purchased for the interior décor value they have. A Bergere chair is a type of upholstered armchair that can be traced back to the 18th century. It features closed sides around the arms and the back. The Bergere chairs are considered to be the first chair designs to fully focus on comfort and relaxation but ever since they have evolved to offer much more than that.

What are the main types of French Bergere Chairs?

There are three main types of French Bergere chairs that you can find today. Each of these options can work in any space and it’s just a matter of picking something that appeals to you personally.

Bergere a la Reine

The Bergere a la Reine is a common and popular choice due to its high armrests and a comfortable flat back. The back is also quite high compared to the other types. It features a straight top with unique and beautiful sloping sides around the arms. The chair is also broader giving you enough space in-between. The upholstery is different but the fabric is very common with the Bergere a la Reine.

Bergere en Cabriolet

The Bergere en Cabriolet is relatively more vintage compared to the Bergere a la Reine. It comes with a simple rounded back which tends to be lower too. The lower height is matched with lower curved armrests. The rounded back is quite comfortable. The chairs also lie very low. However, it’s the vintage look that appeals to most people when it comes to the Bergere en Cabriolet.

Bergere Marquise

The Bergere Marquise is a petite design that usually has a low and curved back. The back seamlessly connects with the armrests. It’s also higher but thinner compared to the other two options above. The biggest difference though between the Bergere Marquise and the other options is the size. The chair is smaller in many aspects.

How to Identify French Bergere Chairs?

There are many chairs in the market that have tried to emulate the French Bergere design. If you’re looking for something authentic, you will need to identify a quality chair from the rest.

Here’s a simple guide to help:

The legs of the French Bergere chairs will often feature H or X shaped stretchers. This gives them a heavier look compared to traditional chairs.
The designs also have a unique level of rigidity. The armrests will extend to the front while the seatbacks are upright. In some cases, the back might be curved along its width but it will still be straight from down up.
French Bergere chairs also have a dramatic effect. The silhouette appeal is combined with a grand throne-like design. The chairs are fully upholstered except the frames which come in different vintage designs.

The royalty feeling you get from the French Bergere chairs is unmatchable because the chairs were actually quite popular with French royalty years ago.