Caisse de Versailles — The Original French Planter
By Jardins du Roi Soleil · ⛜ Official Château de Versailles Licensed Product
Handcrafted in France — Cast Iron & French Oak
Official Château de Versailles Licensed Product — the only authentic version in the UK
Made to Order — 6–8 week lead time · Ships palletised to your UK address
- Construction & Materials
- Delivery & Lead Time
- Care & Maintenance
- Trade & Project Enquiries
- Frame: Cataphoresis-treated cast-iron, cast in France. Assembled with stainless-steel bolts.
- Panels: French oak from Centre & Burgundy regions — shaped and painted in French workshops. All four panels fully removable.
- Finish: Exclusive dual-material paint system — primer plus two finish coats, colour-matched perfectly across iron and oak.
- Base: Open base for superior drainage and root aeration.
- Authenticity: Engraved cast-iron medal: « Château de Versailles » + « Jardins du Roi Soleil » + unique production number.
All planters are made to order in France. Standard lead time is 6–8 weeks from order confirmation. Packed on a wooden pallet, shipped via specialist freight to your UK address. Weights range from approx. 35 kg (500mm) to 200 kg+ (1200mm). Kerbside delivery as standard; white-glove placement available — contact us when ordering.
Oak panels can be refreshed without disturbing the plant — remove in opposing pairs and repaint in situ. Repaint oak every 3–5 years. The cast-iron frame requires no special treatment. Renovation kits (replacement panels, pins, geotextile potting felt) available on request.
Trade accounts and preferential pricing available for landscaping contractors, interior designers, hotels, and commercial projects. Contact our team at info@maisonreves.co.uk or call 020 4586 4111.
Born in the Gardens of Versailles, 1661
The Caisse de Versailles was not designed by a furniture maker. It was conceived by André Le Nôtre — landscape architect to Louis XIV — for a singular purpose: to allow the King's most prized citrus trees to flourish in the open air of the Palace gardens and be carried safely into the Orangerie each winter.
Over 350 years later, the design is unchanged. The same four removable oak panels. The same cast-iron frame. The same open base. In the UK market, you will find dozens of imitations — plywood versions, cheap steel knock-offs, teak approximations. Not one of them is the real thing.
The Only Authentic Manufacturer in the World
We source exclusively from Jardins du Roi Soleil — the sole manufacturer on earth holding the exclusive official licence from the Château de Versailles to produce the « Château de Versailles »© planter.
Every planter is manufactured entirely in France — cast-iron poured in French foundries, oak panels shaped and painted in workshops in the Centre and Burgundy regions. No outsourcing, no shortcuts.
« Château de Versailles »© Engraved Medal
Every planter carries a cast-iron medal engraved with « Château de Versailles » and « Jardins du Roi Soleil », plus a unique production number. Proof of origin that endures for the lifetime of the planter — and that no imitation can offer.
Built to Outlast Everything Else in Your Garden
Choosing the Right Size
All measurements are the external width of the square planter. For citrus trees and olives, we typically recommend sizing up. Contact us if you need guidance before ordering.
| Size | External Width | Best For | Approx. Weight | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 500mm (19.7") | Bay trees, small citrus, topiary balls | ~35 kg | £895 |
| Standard | 600mm (23.6") | Standard citrus, olive trees, box topiary | ~55 kg | £1,195 |
| Medium | 700mm (27.5") | Mature citrus, standard olive trees | ~80 kg | £1,595 |
| Large | 800mm (31.5") | Large citrus, bay laurel, specimen agapanthus | ~105 kg | £1,995 |
| XL | 1000mm (39.4") | Specimen trees, grand entrance plantings | ~145 kg | £2,995 |
| XXL | 1200mm (47.2") | Mature specimens, hotel & commercial use | ~200 kg+ | £4,495 |
| Sizes up to 1500mm available on request · Rectangular trough variants also available · Contact us for bespoke dimensions | ||||
Twelve Curated Colours — or Entirely Your Own
Configured at the French Workshop
All upgrades are installed before dispatch at Jardins du Roi Soleil’s workshop. Specify in order notes at checkout, or contact us to discuss your requirements.
Made to Order. Delivered to Your Door.
Every Caisse de Versailles is made to your specification in France and shipped via specialist pallet freight — not couriers. This ensures your planter arrives exactly as it left the French workshop.
Kerbside delivery as standard, with optional white-glove placement including packaging removal and positioning. For large installations or trade projects, our team can coordinate directly with your site.
Questions? Call 020 4586 4111, Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat–Sun 10am–4pm.
Everything You Need to Know
About the Caisse de Versailles
From royal origins to caring for your planter in the British climate — our complete guide.
What is a Caisse de Versailles? The 350-Year Story
From the gardens of Louis XIV to the world’s finest estates.
Read the full story →
Versailles Planter vs. Cheap Imitations — What to Look For
How to tell the authentic Caisse de Versailles from an imitation.
Read the guide →
How to Care for a Caisse de Versailles in the UK Climate
Seasonal care, repainting oak panels, wintering citrus trees.
Read the guide →