Visit to the park and garden
A must-see site in Essonne, in Méréville: what to see and do at the Domaine Départemental de Méréville: The Domaine Départemental de Méréville, a true haven of peace, invites you to explore its exceptional parks and gardens. This magnificent site, ranked among the most beautiful…
Offered by
Méréville Departmental Estate
Méréville
Description
A must-see site in Essonne, in Méréville: what to see and do at the Domaine Départemental de Méréville:
The Domaine Départemental de Méréville, a true haven of peace, invites you to explore its exceptional parks and gardens. This magnificent site, ranked among the most beautiful green spaces, is open to all visitors and offers an immersive experience in the heart of nature. You can stroll freely through this verdant setting and enjoy the beauty of its landscaped grounds.
An emblematic example of late 18th-century Anglo-Chinese gardens, it was designed by François-Joseph Bélanger and later Hubert Robert for the financier Jean-Joseph de Laborde, a great garden enthusiast. A picturesque garden, it marked a break with the ideal of the formal garden that had been in vogue until then: composed of a tableau, structured around scenes that unfold as one strolls along the paths and waterways, the landscape garden is a tribute to an idealized and sublime nature. The Domaine de Méréville, owned by the Essonne Departmental Council since December 2000, is undergoing restoration work. In 2019, it was awarded the national "Remarkable Garden" label. Since June 2023, a new work of art has been installed at the Domaine: the Golden Ball Bridge.
Prices and opening hours:
Opening hours: The Domaine is open to the public from April 5th to October 29th, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and on public holidays.
- April, May, September and October: From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- June, July and August: From 10am to 8pm.
Open weekdays for groups by reservation. Last admission 1 hour before closing time. Admission: Free. Guided tours available for a fee. Guided tour prices: €7 full price, €3.50 reduced price (students, teachers, job seekers, and seniors). Free for children under 12, job seekers, and members of local history associations. Bicycles are not permitted on the grounds.
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Méréville Departmental Estate
Méréville The Méréville garden was undoubtedly one of the most accomplished works of the 18th century in the history of garden design. Marquis Jean-Joseph de Laborde, a wealthy financier, purchased Méréville in 1784 and decided to transform the park into a landscaped garden. At the time, English-style gardens were in vogue in France, characterized by layouts closely resembling natural forms and embellished with follies.
The overall composition of the park, the course of the Juine River, the shape of the large lake, the layout of the paths, the arrangement of the plantings, and the follies (the mill, the rock bridge, and the early models for the rostral column and the mahogany bridge) are attributed to the architect and garden designer François Bélanger. Hubert Robert, a renowned painter specializing in landscapes and ruins, succeeded him in the creation of this exemplary site. The construction of the Méréville garden employed up to 400 workers.
In the 20th century, the condition of the château and park deteriorated, and the site remained closed to the public. In 1977 and 1978, the château and park were listed as Historical Monuments.
On December 4, 2000, the Essonne General Council acquired the Méréville Estate. A plan was initiated for the restoration and future use of the site, with the aim of preserving, rehabilitating, and making this exceptional heritage accessible to the public.
