Absolutely magnificent places abound in Île-de-France, there's no shortage of them! Castles, churches, arboretums, artist homes, and so much more. Today, a charming abbey has caught our eye. Located in the heart of the Ermenonville forest, the domaine de Chaalis offers a truly stunning setting, complete with a castle, an orangerie, the former royal abbey, and, most impressively, a rose garden of 3,500 m² that will take your breath away. It’s the ideal destination for the upcoming May long weekends!
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A Little History
It was back in 1136 when King Louis VI, known as The Fat (because, after all, not everyone can be called the Sun King) founded the royal abbey of Chaalis. Quickly, it became a significant economic and intellectual center, which saw many kings of France passing through over the centuries. In the 19th century, the property, which had become national property during the Revolution, was turned into a hunting ground, before being purchased by Nélie Jacquemart (yes, just like the Paris museum, it’s the same one), who bequeathed it to the Institute of France.
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Today, the estate boasts a stunning castle, which houses the Jacquemart-André Museum of Chaalis – where you can find part of the couple's collections – an orangery, and the magnificent Sainte-Marie chapel, where Nélie Jacquemart rests, according to her last wishes. But what truly makes this estate special is its incredible park classified as a "remarkable garden,” featuring a breathtaking rose garden.
The Rose, Queen of Flowers in the Spotlight
Since the 19th century, part of the estate has been transformed into a flowering garden, surrounded by a beautiful stone wall. However, it wasn't until 1998 that this area was turned into a rose garden by the landscaper André Gamard. Spanning 3,500 m²,...
This last section is divided into 4 squares that house about a hundred varieties of roses, including some very old and very rare ones. Nearly half of them are climbing roses, which adorn the arches and other pergolas placed all around the rose garden.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
To celebrate this beautiful garden of Eden, the abbey has been organizing the "Rose Day" for over 20 years! This annual event brings together over 15,000 visitors each year, along with hundreds of exhibitors of all kinds: horticulturists, nurserymen, rosarians, artists, and craftsmen. And the exciting news is that since the event takes place every year in early June, it’s not too late to join in on the 2025 edition, which will be held over the weekend of Pentecost, specifically on June 6, 7, and 8!
Address: Dom. de Chaalis, 60300 Fontaine-Chaalis, France
