Les Fermes de Gally, established in 1746, is renowned as one of the oldest agricultural and gardening businesses in France. While Les Fermes de Gally has introduced initiatives for the public, such as educational farms and fruit picking experiences, the majority of its activities, approximately 80%, are devoted to creating and maintaining natural spaces for professionals. This is done through its entities Les Jardins de Gally and Le Bureau d’Etudes de Gally, which serve as a privileged partner for luxury houses in designing their spaces and events. By actively participating in the evolution of luxury codes regarding green development and sustainability, Les Fermes de Gally is making a significant impact in the industry.
Pierre Darmet, the Director of Marketing and Business Development, sheds light on the role of plants in retail. He emphasizes the growing recognition of the unique sensory experience that nature provides and the scientifically proven benefits of incorporating living elements into retail strategies. Darmet also discusses the deep integration of sustainability in Les Jardins de Gally’s projects. They recognize that plants are living organisms with tangible indicators of their performance, and they prioritize the responsible use of resources. Furthermore, Les Jardins de Gally plays an active role in promoting biodiversity and has co-founded the International Council for Biodiversity and Real Estate. They have initiated actions, such as using locally sourced flowers for their floral creations, making floral compositions and bouquets using French flowers within a 150 km radius of Paris. Their horticultural farm also produces ivy and geraniums for the facades of Parisian palaces. These commitments and practices are especially appealing to Millennials, who are particularly sensitive to environmental values.
When asked about the compatibility of this responsible approach with the luxury industry’s constraints, Darmet acknowledges the high standards of luxury houses and palaces. However, Les Fermes de Gally’s expertise lies in landscaping. They provide services for setting up and maintaining potted plants, which have gained popularity due to their aesthetic appeal. Outdoors, Les Jardins de Gally focuses on designing exceptional gardens that incorporate perennial plants and deciduous shrubs to add vibrancy. They also propose alternatives to long-distance imports of cut flowers by adjusting the floral calendar to seasons, using branches instead of flowers, and favoring dried flower bouquets. Additionally, they suggest creating a sense of retail momentum by presenting floral compositions in stores for limited periods. Challenging international standards, they believe that a unique floral or plant design in each point of sale contributes to creating a distinctive experience.
Regarding internal sustainability practices, Les Fermes de Gally emphasizes circularity, with plants either being cultivated again or used for composting purposes. Their Research and Development department collaborates with a start-up to cultivate wilted orchids, and they have developed the Sylver® collection, which utilizes by-products from forest exploitation to create reconstituted trees that resemble real ones. Les Fermes de Gally also prioritizes the ecological contribution of urban objects and values education. They recognize and appreciate the skills and professions involved in every aspect of working with living organisms, from planting to growth, maintenance, and harvesting.
In an interesting addition, we learn that Dominique and Xavier Laureau, co-managers of Les Fermes de Gally, are also co-founders of Jardins-Jardin. This annual event, dedicated to urban gardening and outdoor design, will take place at the Tuileries in Paris from June 6th to 9th. At this event, visitors can discover the latest creation by Les Jardins de Gally – Les Événements, named “Fraicheur fertile,” which was designed by Le Bureau d’Etudes de Gally. The article concludes by offering readers the chance to win tickets to the event.
Useful Links:
1. Les Fermes de Gally website
2. Jardins-Jardin event website
