It is a good thing that Mediterranean-style architecture is so beautiful. Otherwise, we might ignore it, simply to bask in the warm sunlight of its terraces, or take a siesta in its cool, shaded alcoves, later to dine indoors or alfresco, and yes, why not one more glass of red wine?

All it took was a few thousand years of living for us humans to notice how certain structural designs made sense for a warm, sunny climate: Tile roofs shed the rain. Thick stucco walls kept out the heat. Big, wide windows let in light, even on cloudy days, and admitted breezes in sultry weather.

This edition of Luxury Defined celebrates the order of Mediterranean architecture, a state of mind regardless of locale, an idea about life and how it should be lived and lived well. Tick off the boxes: Stucco, tile, symmetrical facades, arched doors, loggias, wrought-iron balustrades, all of it architecture that creates a lifestyle. Elemental. Organic to site and landscape, to water, earth, light, and air.

Here, then, are five wonderful exemplars of that style, in places both near and far from vine-cloaked, sun-soaked land- and seascapes of the Mediterranean.

1. Provençal-Style Manor in Mougins, Côte d’Azur, France

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The past and the present converge at this grand Provençal manor set within glorious terraced gardens looking out across the Bay of Cannes.

The striking white facade encloses equally bright, spacious living spaces spanning 4,844 square feet. The main floor comprises living and dining rooms, a country kitchen, and a library.

The primary suite opens to a south-facing terrace. Four additional bedrooms each have an en suite shower room, all open to the gardens. The guest suite has its own private Juliet balcony. Among the staff accommodations is a caretaker’s apartment.

The home is well suited for entertaining, indoors and out, with a wine cellar, cinema lounge, and plenty of guest parking. There’s also a carport and a three-car garage. The resort-grade amenities continue with a gym, a boules court, and an infinity pool.

The beautiful beaches of the French Riviera are just 10 minutes’ drive; Cannes is 25 minutes and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is 35 minutes away.

2. San Vicente in Santa Monica, California

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Set on a gated near-acre lot overlooking the links of Santa Monica’s Riviera Country Club, this timeless Mediterranean Revival villa was built in 1926 by influential Santa Monica architect John Byers, a lifelong devotee of California Spanish style.

That architectural heritage, updated for 21st century living, inspired a two-story home with tile roofs, white stucco walls, and spacious interiors, offering eight bedrooms and six-and- bathrooms.

Generous living spaces, executed in a cool-neutral palette of cream and tan, feature tall glass windows to let in the light and the views, original Malibu tiles, hand-painted ceilings, and bespoke carpentry. Archways flow seamlessly between the indoors and the outdoor terraces and rambling verandas.

Within the tranquil grounds are a two-room casita guesthouse; a wade-in swimming pool with a waterfall feature, and a scenic walking path descending to The Riviera Country Club.

3. Harbor-View Villa in Port d’Andratx, Mallorca, Spain

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This palatial villa is built into “the loveliest harbor in the Mediterranean”: Port d’Andratx, about 30 minutes from Mallorca’s capital, Palma.

The traditional terracotta-hued facade encloses light-filled interior spaces oriented toward the harbor.

The central courtyard opens to a living room with a row of Doric columns under a beautiful beamed ceiling. It flows out to a lawned terrace facing the sea. The kitchen and dining room are on the lower level with the office and home theater.

All six bedrooms are all en suite, including three upper-level suites with panoramic sea vistas. There’s also a two-bedroom guest house (currently used as a wellness suite with a gym and sauna). A sizable outdoor kitchen is located next to the pool, set within a terrace surrounded by ivy-cloaked stone walls. The gardens are a mix of Mediterranean and tropical flora, with palm trees, bougainvillea, and cypress trees.

4. Grand Villa in Morcote, Lugano, Switzerland

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This lovely, classic Mediterranean “Grand” villa resides in the picture-postcard environs of Morcote, Switzerland, with a parklike setting overlooking Lake Lugano.

Traditional tile roofs, cocoa-toned stucco, and rambling arched verandas enfold the 9,117-square-foot residence. Its grandly proportioned reception rooms have a view of the lake or the gardens, landscaped with a variety of Mediterranean flowers and trees. There are eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

The interiors open to arched covered verandas, balconies, and stone terraces with sunset views over the lake. A sauna and a swimming pool complete the amenities.

5. S’Incantu Estate in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy

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S’Incantu is a magnificent estate in the hills of San Pantaleo on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda.

The villa was designed in the traditional Gallurese style by celebrated French-born architect Savin Couëlle, with granite walls under a tiled terracotta roof, in harmony with the surrounding landscape.

The interiors blend the old with the new. The six bedrooms all have luxurious en suite bathrooms. The living room is designed for comfort and adjoins a roomy eat-in kitchen and alfresco dining space.

But it’s the gardens that truly stand out: a Mediterranean park of more than 12 acres, with a swimming pool and relaxing outdoor living areas, including a dining area with a barbecue for sunset dinners. An infinity-edge pool with a 180-degree vista of the Bay of Portisco completes the picture.

Explore more luxury homes with iconic architecture here.