Petra Antiqua redefines the urban fabric of Hyères

In the heart of Place Clemenceau in Hyères-les-Palmiers, on the French Riviera, lies a completely reimagined urban space where natural stone takes on a starring role. 
The renovation, completed in 2019, was designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti—best known for the iconic MUCEM in Marseille. Bringing prestige and substance to the project is Petra Antiqua, through the use of two fine stones: Bianco Carrara and Verde India.

The central rose: stone and geometry at the heart of the square
At the core of the square, our stones form a majestic 1,300 m² rose pattern inspired by Michelangelo’s Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome—becoming the visual centerpiece of the entire space.
Bianco Carrara brings brightness and elegance with its clear, compact background, while Verde India adds visual depth through its rich, dark green-to-black veining.
The surface is finished with a bush-hammered finish, providing a tactile, anti-slip, and durable texture—ideal for a high-traffic urban environment. Here, stone becomes more than structure: it becomes a visual language, a dialogue between past and present.

A living square: contemporary in spirit, rooted in history
Spanning over 19,000 square meters, Place Clemenceau is now a vibrant urban landscape that harmoniously blends architecture, art, greenery, and public space.
The design draws inspiration from the great piazzas of Italy, reinterpreting their traditional forms through a modern lens. Surrounding the central rose motif are distinctive features such as decorated concrete ombrières (canopies) inspired by the city’s historic cast iron plates, a fountain with playful light and water effects, and lush plantings of citrus trees, plane trees, and native vegetation.
In this context, Petra Antiqua is not merely a supplier but an integral part of the architectural narrative. Its stones become the very fabric of the city—an expression of elegance, durability, and authenticity.