The castle park of Rambouillet, in the south of Yvelines, is vast of about 150 hectares.
It surrounds the castle built in the heart of the forest of Rambouillet, first medieval fortress and then pleasure residence from the seventeenth century where loved to stay Louis XVI, Napoleon and the Presidents of the Republic.
A French park, designed by Fleuriau d'Armenonville, dating from 1699, was completed in 1779 by a picturesque garden with exotic species and an English garden to meet the wishes of the Duke of Penthièvre.
From the first period, there remain geometric flowerbeds and examples of topiary art, basins and canals. The second, exotic ornamentation (Chinese kiosk) and hilly green spaces surrounding two singular buildings: the Shellfish Cottage and the Queen's Dairy. In this part of the park, the paths are sinuous and the geometry has disappeared, characteristics that announce the romantic period...
Labeled Remarkable Garden, the superbly maintained park is therefore a collection of several centuries of landscape art. His visit is both enjoyable and informative. It can be done on foot, but bicycles, rosalies, electric carts can be rented, as well as boats to discover this treasure from the water features.
If the visit to the castle is not free, access to the park is free. Open every day except Tuesdays, January 1st, May 1st, November 1st, November 11th and December 25th. Information on +33 1 34 83 00 25.
