Travertine

Travertine is a natural limestone that has been widely used since Antiquity. It can be found in famous monuments such as the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain. It forms naturally around hot springs and is recognisable by its natural nuances and its small irregularities. Today, travertine is very popular for interior design (tiles) and exterior projects (terrace, pool surround…).

Travertine comes mainly from:

• Turkey, the largest producer, with very good value for money
• Italy, for more prestigious and rarer travertines
• France, where travertine exists but is not exploited on a large scale

If you would like much more information about travertine, see our travertine guide.

The travertine comes in several shades:

• A light beige that is very popular (for example travertine light paving)
• More brown, yellow tones (for example travertine rustic mix paving)
• A silvery grey, notably travertine Silver

• Travertine Mix, also known as “rustic”, contains highly varied slabs with natural contrasts. It is the most economical option.
• Travertine Classic is slightly more uniform, with balanced tones.
• Travertine Light is the lightest and most carefully sorted, with a cleaner look. It is the top-of-the-range option of the three.

👉 There is no official standard for these names. Each supplier is free to use them, so be wary of marketing labels such as “premium 1st choice mix light”.

Travertine is not very porous. Even though it has visible holes on the surface, its actual porosity is very low (about 1%). It is therefore suitable for every room, even damp ones such as the bathroom, or around a swimming pool.

Travertine comes in several finishes, depending on the style you are looking for:

• Aged (tumbled): antique effect, with broken edges. Ideal for a rustic or Mediterranean atmosphere.
• Honed veined: the veins are visible, perfect for a graphic and contemporary style.
• Honed cloudy: soft and even finish, ideal for zen atmospheres.
• Raw sawn: natural, untreated look. Often used as wall cladding.

For more information, please don't hesitate to consult our guide to travertine – extremely comprehensive.

The standard formats are:

• 60 x 40 cm
• 90 x 60 cm
• The Roman opus format, which mixes 4 dimensions (60x40, 40x40, 20x40, 20x20)

The thicknesses vary depending on use:

• 1.2 to 1.5 cm for indoor tiling
• 3 cm for outdoor paving
  

Formats may be given in centimeters, but they come from measurements in inches, hence the sometimes strange-looking numbers.

• The vein cut (or against-the-grain cut) creates an effect of continuous veins, very graphic.
• The cross cut (or with-the-grain cut) gives a more cloudy and uniform look.

The price of travertine depends on several factors:

• The grading type (Mix, Classic, Light)
• The cut quality
• The finishes
• The country of origin
• The available stock

⚠️ A very low price (e.g. 10 €/m²) often hides poor quality: irregular batches, large holes, poorly calibrated slabs… Be vigilant and prefer a well-selected travertine, even if slightly more expensive.

Travertine is easy to maintain with a few good habits:

• Use neutral products, non-acidic
• Apply a water-repellent treatment if the surface is not filled
• Clean with lukewarm water
• Avoid overly aggressive products (acids, bleach…)

Travertine is very versatile. It can be used:

• As indoor flooring (living room, kitchen, bathroom)
• For terraces or outdoor paving
• For pool copings
• As wall cladding (indoor or outdoor)
  

Oui, nous proposons un large choix de produits en stock :

• Dallages
• Margelle
• Bloc marche
• Parement mur
• Pavés
• Plinthe
  

Le travertin se marie très bien avec le bois, le métal noir et les matières naturelles comme le lin. Ces associations permettent de créer une ambiance méditerranéenne, contemporaine ou minimaliste selon les couleurs et les finitions choisies.

Non, le travertin est une pierre naturelle : chaque dalle présente des nuances, des veinages et des détails minéraux qui lui sont propres. Ces variations participent au charme du matériau et donnent un caractère unique à chaque sol ou mur.

Pour un rendu harmonieux, choisissez un joint beige ou proche de la couleur dominante de votre travertin. Un joint plus contrasté peut souligner le format des dalles et donner un aspect plus graphique à votre aménagement.

Oui, un échantillon permet de visualiser la teinte et la texture du travertin directement chez vous, à la lumière de votre pièce et à côté de vos autres matériaux. Consultez les modalités disponibles sur notre collection de travertins ou contactez notre équipe pour vérifier les possibilités selon la référence choisie.