French backyard vessels seize a novel mix of magnificence and heritage, with pots and urns that stand out for his or her high quality and craftsmanship. Many are handmade following age-old methods, their designs reflecting centuries of savoir-faire. These pièces de jardin span a powerful vary of types, providing one thing to enrich each outside house with genuine French allure.

This text will introduce you to the next kinds of pots:

Chez Pluie, nestled within the coronary heart of Provence, takes pleasure in providing a various and ever-evolving collection of French pots, out there for buy on-line each domestically and internationally. Many of those items will not be solely distinctive and enchanting but additionally preloved, making them an eco-friendly selection for acutely aware customers. Whether or not you are looking for one thing particular or playful in your backyard, Chez Pluie’s assortment is certain to encourage. Discover their full vary of French planters on-line to order immediately from France, or proceed studying to delve into the wealthy historical past and distinctive allure that make these vessels actually extraordinary.

Sure types of French pots take their names from cities, communes, or villages with a storied custom of ceramic craftsmanship that has introduced these areas renown. As an example, the city of Biot, positioned within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur area close to Antibes, has been celebrated for its earthenware vases because the Center Ages, a testomony to its enduring artisanal heritage.

1) Anduze Urns – timeless, elegant

Anduze urns, whether or not vintage, classic, or newly crafted, embody timeless magnificence with their signature bell form. Named after Anduze, a captivating commune within the Gard division of southern France close to Uzès and Alès, these urns are celebrated for his or her classical type and wealthy heritage. Handcrafted utilizing methods perfected over centuries, they showcase pottery at its best. Adorned with intricate classical reliefs of garlands and the faces of historical gods, Anduze backyard urns convey a contact of historical past and artistry to any outside house.

Antique French Anduze urn planter terracotta patina

Historically used for planting citrus bushes resembling lemon, kumquat, or orange, these terra-cotta planters convey a contact of formal French magnificence to any house. Anduze urns additionally create a hanging impression when paired with a neatly trimmed topiary boxwood, making them an ideal selection for enhancing courtyards, entryways, or terraces with traditional type.

Anduze urns can be found in an array of distinctive colours, providing versatility to swimsuit any setting. At Chez Pluie, you may uncover vintage or classic Anduze urns, or fee an artisan-made pot glazed in your most popular hue. The bespoke Anduze urn pictured above includes a pure vintage end and might be custom-ordered by Chez Pluie, mixing timeless craftsmanship along with your distinctive type.

Flame glazed green glazed anduze urns and olive tubes

Pictured above are Anduze urns and olive jars, showcasing beautiful glazes in honey, inexperienced, and flame tones. These vibrant examples spotlight only a few of the glazing choices out there for Anduze urns. Each bit might be ordered on-line by Chez Pluie, permitting you to convey a contact of Provençal allure to your property with ease.

Bespoke hand crafted Anduze urns and coupes made to order

Blue Lagoon is one other hanging glaze choice that may be utilized to bespoke cachepots, Medici vases, lanterns, and Anduze planters. This vibrant hue provides a refreshing and stylish contact, enhancing the great thing about these timeless items.

Water repellant remedy for Anduze urns

For these residing in areas the place temperatures drop under freezing, Chez Pluie affords the choice to use a water-repellent remedy to your urn earlier than transport. Merely request this service when putting your order to make sure your piece is protected and able to face up to colder climates.

Biot-style jars made in Anduze

Olive jars, as pictured above, had been additionally crafted in Anduze, positioned within the Languedoc area of France. Impressed by the elegant type of the Medici urn, these jars are historically very tall and sometimes characteristic a wealthy deep inexperienced glaze. Regardless of their distinct design, they served the identical sensible objective because the olive jars from Biot, providing each performance and timeless magnificence.

Pictured above is a Biot-style jar crafted in Anduze, presently out there for buy on-line at Chez Pluie. These jars are custom-made by expert artisans in Anduze, combining conventional craftsmanship with timeless design to create items which are each purposeful and ornamental.

2. Biot Jars – the French olive jar

Biot jars are gracefully bulbous earthenware vessels, glazed solely on the inside and across the neck, showcasing their rustic allure. Since no less than the Center Ages, the Provençal village of Biot in southeastern France has been famend for crafting these iconic pots, thanks partly to the distinctive high quality of the area’s terra-cotta.

Antique French Biot Jars Terracotta Mediterranean Garden Pots

Whereas historically used for storing olives or oil, many Biot jars as we speak serve trendy functions, usually displayed indoors as cachepots or stuffed with branches, strolling sticks, or different ornamental parts. Vintage Biot jars are equally beautiful as standalone items, their understated magnificence effortlessly evoking the timeless enchantment of the Mediterranean.

Pictured above is an impressive, outdated, weathered Biot jar, handcrafted within the Nineteenth century and out there for buy on-line at Chez Pluie. Wealthy with historical past and character, this distinctive piece is a component of a big vary of Biot jars that may be displayed indoors or open air, bringing timeless Provençal magnificence to any setting.

Antique French Biot Jar and Antique Toy Horse Entryway Styling Ideas

Modern Biot-style jars made in Anduze

As famous earlier within the part on Anduze urns, it is usually potential to accumulate newly crafted Biot-style urns. Chez Pluie affords a variety of artisan-made olive jars, custom-made to order in Anduze. Pictured above is an instance showcasing one of many stunning glazing choices out there.

For a deeper dive into the historical past and custom of those iconic vessels, see “The Biot Jar – an Historical French Custom.”

3. Medici urns – Traditional magnificence

Medici urns, a timeless image of magnificence and refinement, draw their identify and inspiration from the famend Medici Vase—a monumental marble masterpiece adorned with intricate bas-reliefs. Initially crafted in Athens within the first century BC, this extraordinary vase, standing a powerful one and a half meters tall, was misplaced to historical past for hundreds of years. It reappeared in 1598 in Rome, found inside the stock of the Villa Medici, a property owned by the influential Medici household.

The Medicis, probably the most highly effective dynasties of the Renaissance, had been famend as patrons of the humanities, amassing an unparalleled assortment of antiquities. Their devotion to preserving and celebrating classical artwork solidified their legacy as cultural icons. The Medici Vase turned a logo of their refined style, embodying their ardour for magnificence and heritage.

Because the late 18th century, the Medici Vase has been displayed on the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, charming guests with its grandeur and timeless allure. Its design continues to encourage Medici urns, which echo the classical great thing about the unique whereas including a contact of French sophistication. At present, these urns stay a testomony to the enduring attract of the Medici household’s creative legacy and their profound influence on cultural historical past.

The Industrial Revolution ushered within the capability to supply Medici urns on a bigger scale, making it potential to seek out quite a few examples from the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries in a wide range of sizes, designs, and supplies, together with forged iron and concrete. The Medici urn pictured above is loosely impressed by these present in French châteaux, the place these elegant vessels usually adorn symmetrical gardens brimming with flowers or grace the tops of grand staircases and gateways, including a contact of timeless sophistication to their environment.

Some Medici urns echo the unique krater with handles, whereas others take artistic liberties, that includes ornamental motifs resembling lions’ heads, dragons, or angels instead of classical figurative scenes. Pictured above is a surprising instance presently out there at Chez Pluie. Uncover this piece and discover the complete assortment of Chez Pluie’s beautiful Medici urns, every providing a novel mix of timeless magnificence and creative aptitude!

4. Castelnaudary planters

These beautiful green-glazed backyard planters from Castelnaudary usually date again to the Nineteenth century, showcasing a wealthy heritage of French craftsmanship. Castelnaudary, a captivating commune within the Occitanie area of France—an space fashioned by the merger of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées—has lengthy been celebrated for its artisanal pottery. These planters seize the essence of timeless French magnificence, making them a coveted addition to any backyard or outside house.

Antique French terracotta planter with handles green glaze Castelnaudary citrus planter

On the request of the Mayor, Castelnaudary planters adorned the boulevards of Toulouse through the mid-Nineteenth century, including a contact of verdant allure to the town’s streets. With a drainage gap within the base, these versatile planters can be utilized to showcase vibrant greenery or left merely laissez-faire to spotlight their sculptural magnificence. Uncover the beautiful Castelnaudary planters out there at Chez Pluie and produce a chunk of French historical past into your property or backyard.

5. Willy Guhl Eternit planters

Willy Guhl, a pioneering determine in Swiss industrial design, is well known for his modern method to supplies and his timeless minimalist creations. Born in 1915 in Stein am Rhein, Switzerland, Guhl initially educated as a carpenter earlier than additional honing his abilities on the Zurich Faculty of Utilized Arts. After finishing his research, he returned to the college as a trainer, inspiring future generations of designers.

Guhl gained widespread recognition for his experimentation with new supplies, significantly his groundbreaking work with Eternit, a light-weight and sturdy fiber cement. His designs, resembling the long-lasting Loop Chair, exemplify an ideal mix of performance, simplicity, and magnificence. At present, Willy Guhl’s work stays extremely regarded, together with his designs wanted by collectors and celebrated in museums worldwide.

Original Willy Guhl planters buy online worldwide shipping

In 1901, Ludwig Hatschek found a revolutionary mixture of asbestos fibers, cement, pulp blended with water, and air to create a frost-resistant materials he patented as Eternit. Recognized for its power and sturdiness, this materials turned a favourite for outside functions. In 1951, the Swiss firm Eternit commissioned designer Willy Guhl to create a variety of planters, ensuing within the now-iconic Mouchoir and Diabolo designs, celebrated for his or her glossy, minimalist aesthetics and performance.

Willy Guhl Mouchoir Elephant Ear and Marmite Planters

At present, Guhl’s Eternit planters are extremely wanted by designers and collectors alike, valued for his or her timeless enchantment and flexibility in each trendy and conventional areas. It’s necessary to notice that these planters are protected to make use of so long as they’re displayed open air or in a well-ventilated space and their patina stays unaltered and undamaged, making certain no publicity to the unique asbestos fibers. Correct care permits these enduring items of design historical past to proceed gracing gardens and terraces with sophistication and allure.

Willy Guhl rippled planter at Patina Farm

Willy Guhl’s Mouchoir, or Handkerchief Planter, is a masterful mix of playfulness and stylish simplicity. Its distinctive, flowing kind makes it an excellent vessel for showcasing delicate crops resembling moss, succulents, or orchids, enhancing their pure magnificence whereas including a contact of timeless design to any outside or indoor house.

Willy Guhl’s Diabolo planter, formed like a sublime hourglass, is a testomony to his modern and minimalist design philosophy. Pictured above are two of those iconic spindle, or Diabolo, planters gracing the spa of Gwyneth Paltrow’s house, superbly positioned beneath a glass ceiling.

Extremely wanted and more and more uncommon, Guhl’s planters are treasured for his or her distinctive character, with every bit showcasing a wealthy, weathered patina that tells its personal story. A few of these planters had been even designed to tilt barely, including an intentional sense of dynamism to their sculptural kind.

Left - Willy Guhl Mouchoir or Elephant Ear Planter

Resulting from their enduring reputation and flexibility, Chez Pluie repeatedly sources Willy Guhl and Eternit planters in a wide range of sizes and styles. The gathering usually consists of classic sq. and rectangular planters, every providing a timeless design and performance that effortlessly enhances each up to date and conventional outside areas.

Biot Jar Tilted Willy Guhl Planter and Flamingos

6. Fake Bois Planters

Fake Bois, which means “false wooden” in French, is a standard method used to craft tables, chairs, and planters from stone or cement, meticulously designed to copy the pure texture and look of wooden or rock. These French classic planters are extremely wanted for his or her rustic allure and sturdiness, making them a wonderful selection for these wanting so as to add timeless magnificence to their backyard or outside house. Discover our assortment of Fake Bois planters to convey a contact of French artistry to your property.

Right here in France, this method is called Rocailleur and was crafted by hand with out gloves to provide the type its delicacy and naturalness. Rocailleur objects had been made principally to embellish public areas, usually imitating complete bushes. Within the Thirties, masons who had been expert within the Rocailleur method opened their very own companies and made fake bois furnishings on smaller scales.

7. Plant stands

Vintage French plant stands, usually crafted from wrought iron, add a contact of timeless magnificence to any indoor or outside house. Amongst these, Arras plant stands are significantly coveted for his or her distinctive design and historic significance. Originating within the city of Arras in northern France through the Nineteenth century, these stands are a part of a famend custom of backyard furnishings crafted from heavy wrought iron with a novel white-painted end.

Recognized for his or her intricate detailing and sturdiness, Arras plant stands completely complement classic pots and planters, bringing an genuine French aesthetic to your property or backyard. Chez Pluie affords a curated collection of distinctive plant stands, together with vintage Arras items, ultimate for creating a trendy and complex show in your favourite crops.

8. Cachepots and Jardinieres

Vintage French cachepots are ornamental containers designed to assist and conceal flowerpots, including a contact of magnificence to any house. Not like planters, cachepots shouldn’t have drainage holes, making them excellent for indoor use. These versatile items are usually crafted from supplies resembling ceramic, glass, iron, tin, clay, cement, or cloisonné, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of their period.

Collection of antique green glazed cachepots from Castelnaudary

Also known as a tabletop model of a jardiniere, cachepots are perfect for displaying crops like orchids, paperwhites, or ivy. They make a hanging addition when positioned on a bookcase, fire mantle, or eating desk, effortlessly enhancing the great thing about your property decor. Discover the timeless allure of vintage French cachepots to convey sophistication and magnificence to your interiors.

9. Window planter bins

Chez Pluie has a variety of fashionable rectangular planters that may mix effectively on an exterior window ledge. Willy Guhl’s iconic examples have been featured above. Chez Pluie additionally has three rectangular Willy Guhl Eternit planters that may complement each trendy and traditional gardens (pictured under).

10. Small flowerpots

Chez Pluie at all times has a wide range of small planters to select from.

Pictured above is an uncommon Castelnaudary planter with D-shaped handles from the late Nineteenth- or early Twentieth-century. It was not glazed and so its stunning pure coloring has been left uncovered. It will convey recent type to any backyard or balcony.

Chez Pluie at all times has an incredible vary of anique rustic confit pots, normally from southwest France, in inventory. Confit pots are sometimes smaller than different backyard planters. Their portability means they will home crops that wish to comply with the solar from room to room or be introduced inside throughout stormy climate. Make sure you buy one with a drainage gap if you wish to use it as a planter.

11. Saint Jean-de-Fos Pottery

Saint Jean-de-Fos is a small village in France the place the River Herault emerges from its gorge. Within the 1800s, there have been over 70 artisans in residence. It’s the place a mode of completely stunning backyard urns, planters, pots, and attractively formed water jugs are made – some have sensible and well-known French emerald-green glazes.

This vinegar pot is an excellent instance of the craftsmanship from Saint Jean-de-Fos that was just lately out there. Keep tuned for information of extra finds as Chez Pluie uncovers them!

12. Orangerie Versailles Planters

In 1670 the Versailles planter was conceived by landcape architect André Le Nôtre. Le Nôtre is legendary for designing and implementing the Versailles gardens as they appeared within the seventeenth century. The classical grandeur of the huge gardens, which included focal factors resembling parterres (decorative flower beds), bosquets (open-air rooms surrounded by excessive hedges), sprouting fountains enclosed by clipped bushes and topiary, has influenced panorama designers and gardeners ever since.

Le Nôtre wanted to discover a technique to hold Louis XIV’s beloved unique citrus bushes alive over the tough winter. The answer was to make the bushes cellular by rising them in massive wood planters that may very well be wheeled inside as soon as the chilly climate set in. The design permits for the bins to be opened so the soil might be replenished. The planters are nonetheless used as we speak, however because the 1800s the body has been made from forged iron. There are some great movies produced by the Palace of Versailles on this topic. Naturally the planters will not be restricted to rising simply oranges however boxwoods, hydrangeas, olive bushes, palm bushes, and topiaries will thrive too.

There’s a pair of bamboo cachepot planters much like the type of a Versailles planter that are actually in inventory at Chez Pluie. These would swimsuit a backyard room as they’re fragile and may stay indoors.

The above pair of Versailles type planter frames are presently out there on the Chez Pluie web site. Created from wrought iron and from the nineteenth-century,

Finders Service

Coveting a product that’s on reserve or was just lately bought? Please be at liberty to interact the Finders Service at Chez Pluie, Susannah and Hugh will probably be solely too completely happy to assist.

Et voilà. Thanks for studying this text about French pots and urns. I invite you to discover the complete vary of backyard planters presently out there for home and worldwide buy from Chez Pluie within the south of France.

Picture credit score: Terrres Vernissees by Christine Lahaussois (French guide), Chez Pluie Provence, AD France, Architectural Digest, Velvet & Linen (Patina Farm), Veranda Journal

Incessantly requested questions

1) Why does France have so many alternative sorts of pots and urns and the place can I be taught extra about them?

Like many areas on this planet, traditionally France has been a spot that has a robust custom of arts and crafts. The nation is lucky that many of those age-old practices have been preserved up till the current. The making of pots and urns is an instance of 1 space which stays within the fingers of artisans. Villages and communes dotted all around the massive nation turned well-known for their very own specialised and idiosyncratic methods of constructing ceramics, which had been handed down the generations. These objects are made following exact strategies that produce very distinctive items. Browse Chez Pluie’s Backyard urns and planters assortment to find treasures out there for buy. For extra in-depth articles on particular kinds of pots, learn Chez Pluie’s articles “Medici urns and 13 ornamental makes use of”, “The Anduze urn: Timeless magnificence”, “The Biot jar: An Historical French Custom”, and “Vintage confit pots adorning concepts”.

2) Are there any modern-style French pots or planters?

Sure, quite a few types of French pots and planters have been made throughout Twentieth century and twenty first century, many examples of which can be found for buy on-line at Chez Pluie. Fashionable designs embrace the fabulous Fake bois type and charming Arras backyard furnishings. Willy Guhl has made some iconic trendy planters, together with the Diabolo and the Mouchoir. Browse Chez Pluie’s Backyard urns and planters assortment to find treasures out there for buy.

3) The place can I purchase a second-hand French pot?

It’s potential to purchase second-hand French pots by Chez Pluie. These embrace stunning up to date pots in addition to classic and vintage items. Chez Pluie’s vary is at all times altering and new. Thrilling items are added every week, so you’ll want to verify the web retailer repeatedly!

4) Can I purchase pots to order?

Sure, it’s potential to order custom-made pots and urns by Chez Pluie. These stunning items are made within the conventional workshops in Anduze, France, following historical pot-making methods. The artisans of Anduze craft conventional traditional Anduze urns and olive jars (also referred to as Biot jars).

5) What ought to I plant in a French pot and the way ought to I show it?

Plant evergreen, woody foliage in pots and planters, resembling boxwood, bay laurel, myrtle, and privet (these work effectively for topiary). Herbs, resembling rosemary and basil look nice in pots as effectively. Flowering fruit bushes are additionally frequent decisions for a French pot, resembling kumquat, lemon, lime, and olive. Show your French pot in a backyard, courtyard, porch, or indoors. In the event you intend to put your earthernware pot outdoors and you reside in a area that’s susceptible to freezing, it’s best to line clay and terracotta planters with plastic liners and plant inside these to keep away from the chance of cracking the pot. For extra inspiration on giving a French really feel to your backyard learn Chez Pluie’s article, “Tips about how you can create your French backyard”.