FRANCIRIS® 2005

International iris competition

Come and discover the most beautiful irises of an international competition in the area of the Toile de Jouy close  to  Paris.

The French Iris and Bulbous Plant Society will be sponsoring in May 2005 a competition of tall bearded irises in Jouy-en-Josas. The town is located in the Valley of the Bievres river, between Paris and Versailles. The competition is made possible thanks to a partnership with TECOMAH, a training school associated with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris.

In mai 2004, a criterium allowed the general public to make a selection of their 5 favorite irises at peak bloom.

The town of Jouy-en-Josas became famous for its Toiles de Jouy, and "indiennes" fabrics created by Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf, and used to make clothes for high society of the 18th century.

In the immediate vicinity, Versailles offers a view of the splendour and luxury characterizing the reign of Louis XIV.

The Fleur de Lys, a symbol of the French monarchy, represents an iris according to a legend dating from the 14th century:

According to this legend, France's King Clovis (6th century), had his life saved by a blooming Iris pseudacorus which indicated a safe path to the king, as he was pursued by his enemies in the swamps. He then chose as his symbol the flower that saved his life.

For more than a century, the hibridization of iris in France has been at the forefront of progress. De Bure, Lemon, Jacques, Verdier, Vilmorin, Denis, Cayeux... all made a substantial contribution to the history of iris in the world.

France had been awarding the Dykes Medal until World War II, a prize that is still awarded each year in the United States, the U.K. and Australia with New Zealand.
The time has now come to follow again an old French tradition and organize an international iris exhibition and competition.

An international jury will grant the awards.

Articles about FRANCIRIS 2005 published in Iris et bulbeuses.