Floral art: another French specialty
France is often celebrated for the richness of its arts and culture. From architectural marvels to literary gems, from works of art to culinary delights, France’s heritage has always combined artistic inspiration with renowned artisanal craftsmanship.
Floral art is no exception, and France is undoubtedly one of the leading countries in floral arrangement today, alongside Japan. This week, the editorial team at Sessile tells you more about this unexpected French specialty.
If there is one field in which France excels without receiving all the recognition it deserves, it is the art of floral design. Linked to fashion and the fine arts, the tradition of floral design has almost always been part of the French artisanal landscape.
Floral arrangements date back to antiquity—specifically to ancient Egypt—where they were used primarily to emphasize the sacred nature of a ceremony and pay homage to the gods. At that time, floral decorations were specifically created to adorn tombs and graves and to enhance weddings. This tradition was later carried on in Europe within the Greek and Roman worlds to honor athletes and heroes.
I find my bouquet of flowers
A History of Floral Art in France
In France, traces of floral art can be found among the Gauls, who are said to have used flowers to adorn their helmets and decorate their banquet tables. This tradition gradually took root in the French cultural landscape, particularly during the Middle Ages, with the emergence of the profession of “bouquetière-chapelière”—the predecessor of today’s florist—which was reserved for women and, like all artisanal professions of the time, involved the creation of a masterpiece.
French floral art began to take shape in the 19th century with the growing demand for floral decorations, which led to the development of cultivation of the most popular flowers, such as violets, reseda, andhydrangeas.
The Birth of Floral Art
The very first florist shop in its modern form opened in 1830 in Paris, on the Place du Palais Royal, by Madame Prévost. She was the first to give the bouquet its current form—less dense but better arranged—and to establish the tradition of floral art. Next, the florist Lachaume synthesized the innovations of the era in his first treatise on floral art, which inspired many of his contemporaries. Finally, in 1880, the Société Nationale d’Horticulture de France (SNHF) was founded; originally a club for exchanging information on cultivation techniques, it quickly became the guardian of French expertise in floral design.
Then, throughout the 20th century, the art of French floral design was enriched by outside influences, particularly through the discovery of the Japanese art of floral arrangement, ikebana—a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages and was codified in the 16th century.
French florists dominate international competitions
Even today, floral art remains an integral part of France’s cultural heritage and continues to push the boundaries of creativity while preserving traditions. In 1976, the SNHF began offering training programs to ensure the continuation of French-style floral design. To nurture talent, numerous national competitions are held.
To identify the region’s top talent in floral design, regional trade associations hold annual competitions. The program includes set challenges designed to demonstrate participants’ ability to work with plants while expressing their artistic sensibility. And as the icing on the cake, the top performers will have the opportunity to represent the region at the French Florists’ Cup.
And to recognize professional excellence and raise awareness of a craft that is all too often overlooked by the general public, the French Federation of Artisan Florists organizes the Coupe de France des artisans fleuristes every year. Working on a set theme, participants must compete in seven challenges before a jury composed of their peers.
After France, the world, of course. An extremely prestigious competition, the World Cup brings together florists from all corners of the globe in a celebration of floral cultures and traditions. France is often very well represented at the event, having cultivated a unique floral art form for generations—one that it has successfully preserved and refined.
Preserving France’s Unique Floral Heritage
Today, these floral artists are not out of reach—they’re right in your neighborhood! Because it is indeed at your local florist that this unique French cultural tradition continues to thrive. Far more than mere arrangements of flowers and foliage, France’s artisanal florists offer invitations to a botanical journey.
At Sessile, our goal is to make a modest contribution to preserving this unique aspect of French culture by featuring France’s most passionate artisan florists and showcasing their expertise. If you’d like to help preserve this tradition, feel free to stop by your local artisan florist or place an order through their Sessile shops!
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.
