ColorplanBenjamin Moore French Violet (CC-960) is a very dark purple with a cool blue undertone and an LRV of 16. Closest matches: Farrow & Ball Pitch Blue (No.220). For trim, try Polar White (2069-70).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Benjamin Moore whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Purple |
| LRV | 15.7 (dark; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #696D86 |
| RGB | 105, 109, 134 |
| HSL | 232°, 12%, 47% |
About French Violet
French Violet (CC-960) is a very dark purple from Benjamin Moore with a cool blue undertone. With an LRV of 16, French Violet absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
North-facing light makes French Violet read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it. It's a good fit for dining rooms, accent walls, front doors and libraries. Next to Amethyst Shadow (1441), it's cooler and more colorful.
How French Violet changes with the light
French Violet has a cool undertone. North light will push it cooler and grayer, while south and west light warm it up. If your room faces north, look at it next to a warm white trim.
North-facing rooms
French Violet has a cool undertone that north light will push cooler and grayer; warm white trim helps balance it.
East-facing rooms
French Violet will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
Bright south light shows French Violet close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
French Violet looks cool in the morning and warms up in the golden late-afternoon light.
See French Violet in real homes
Photos people have shared of French Violet in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
French Violet equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Sherwin-Williams
Closest available · ΔE 8.8
Also close: Outerspace (ΔE 11.1)
Compare side by side →Behr
Closest available · ΔE 12.8
Also close: Graphic Charcoal (ΔE 12.9)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
French Violet questions
What undertone does French Violet have?
French Violet has a cool blue undertone, so it reads as a cool color. North-facing light makes French Violet read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it.
Is French Violet a light or dark color?
French Violet has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 15.7 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a very dark color. With an LRV of 16, French Violet absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
What is the closest match to French Violet in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Distance SW 6243 (closest available, ΔE 8.8); Farrow & Ball: Pitch Blue No.220 (close, ΔE 4.0); Behr: Plum Shade 100F-6 (closest available, ΔE 12.8). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with French Violet?
Try Polar White (2069-70) on trim and Mirage White (2116-70) on the ceiling. Both are Benjamin Moore whites that share French Violet's undertone.
Where does French Violet work best?
French Violet works well in dining rooms, accent walls, front doors and libraries. With an LRV of 16, French Violet absorbs most light. It creates a dramatic, enveloping look and suits accent walls, cabinetry and well-lit rooms.
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