per·ron 
(pĕrən, pə-rōɴ)
(pĕrən, pə-rōɴ)n.
1. A platform at the entrance of a large building.
2. A flight of steps leading to such a platform.
[Middle English peroun, block of stone used as a platform, from Old French perrun : pierre, stone (from Latin petra, stone, rock; see PETRIFY) + -on, -un, diminuitive suffix (from Latin -ō, -ōn-, n. suff.)]