The CD cover uses a bold watercolor painting of the French flag as the background image to draw attention. The album title "Viva la Vida" is interpreted to mean "long live", fitting with the French revolution theme of the cover. While the front cover depicts the uprising, the back uses basic colors and fonts for the track list and details, contrasting the front and showing this is not a pop album. Photos of the band members surround the title, maintaining the natural theme throughout.