About Versailles Gardens
Bringing Portland 'a bit of French soil'
Versailles Gardens' product offering is aimed at homeowners in the Pacific Northwest who have perhaps visited and fallen in love with France and would now like to "bring a bit of French soil" into their gardens, says proprietor Gerard Philippon. In fact, its large range of products -- urns and vases, cast stone statuaries, garden benches, carved stone fountains, wells and basins -- are made from French clay and limestone, crafted into high-quality ornamental garden works by family-run pottery producers in the South of France.
"I know these families, I know their children, their grandchildren. They are real people, continuing the traditions of quality pottery that have been handed down over hundreds of years, " Philippon says. "This is what speaks to me." Philippon, a native of Le Mans (about 2 hours southwest of Paris), came to the US "just to visit" at age 21, and this visit has lasted more than 37 years. He lived in Washington DC, Key West, and Aspen, before settling in Portland 16 years ago. He has been importing Anduze vases and a range of other French ornamental garden accessories to Portland since the mid-90s, initially selling from his well-known Souleiado boutique on NW 23rd, then as a sideline to Versailles Interiors (which continues as a "pop-up store" in Portland). As a stand-alone store launched in Northwest Portland in 2010, Versailles Gardens has steadily expanded its range of products, currently offering some 300 different items produced from three of the major pottery and carved stone producers of southern France: La Poterie de La Madeleine, Terres d'Albine and Pierres et Terres de France. Prices range from $20 for small pots to $20,000 for elaborate cast stone fountains and basins. Philippon returns to France twice a year to visit his suppliers -- often spending the night in their country homes in Provence -- and order new products for his Portland store. For the future, Philippon plans to expand his range of wrought iron ornamental works for the garden. Already, he has a several wrought iron gazebos on display. Philippon also is making his outdoor store, with its lavish fountains, wells, statues and urns, available as a unique venue for weddings and corporate events, in conjunction with the Castaway Portland special events facility next door (capacity: 10,000 sq ft, 400 guests). He is even entertaining propositions by filmmakers seeking 17th Century décor for their productions. |
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