French Vegetable Gardens You Can Visit!
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Le Potager du Roi (The King's Kitchen Garden) – Versailles
Located near the Palace of Versailles, this historic vegetable garden once supplied fresh produce to King Louis XIV’s court. Spanning over 9 hectares, it features a vast array of fruits and vegetables in meticulously designed plots.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Classical French formal garden
Date of Creation: 1678-1683
History: Commissioned by Louis XIV and designed by Jean-Baptiste La Quintinie to provide fresh produce for the royal table. Now a horticultural education center.
Specificities: 450+ varieties of fruits & vegetables, heirloom species, intricate layout, and deep historical significance.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Apr–Oct: Tue–Sun 10 AM–6 PM | Nov–Mar: Tue–Fri 10 AM–6 PM
Entry Fee: Adults €4.50 | Reduced €3.00 | Free under 12
Parking: Public parking nearby (fees may apply)
Address: 10 Rue du Maréchal Joffre, 78000 Versailles, France
Additional Info: Guided tours (weekends Apr–Oct) & seasonal produce sales.
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Le Potager Extraordinaire – La Roche-sur-Yon
A unique and whimsical vegetable garden, Le Potager Extraordinaire is dedicated to rare, exotic, and unusual edible plants from around the world. Visitors can discover giant vegetables, carnivorous plants, edible flowers, and forgotten crops, making this garden an exciting and educational visit for all ages.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Botanical, educational, experimental
Created in: 1995
History: Originally a private collection of rare plants, it expanded into a public attraction showcasing biodiversity and sustainable gardening
Specificities: Home to giant pumpkins, blue corn, edible cacti, and rare vegetables, interactive exhibits, and guided discovery tours
Additional info: Hosts seasonal workshops and themed events, including the annual Giant Vegetable Contest
Visitor Information
Opening hours: April–September: Daily, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Oct–Mar: Limited opening days, check website
Fees: €8 adult / €6 child (6–12) / Free under 6 | Free parking
Address: Route de Beautour, 85000 La Roche-sur-Yon, France
Website: www.potagerextraordinaire.com
Instagram: @potagerextra
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Le Potager des Princes – Chantilly
Originally part of the Château de Chantilly's estate, this charming potager blends vegetable gardening with an ornamental touch, featuring espaliered fruit trees, themed vegetable plots, and even small farm animals. The 17th-century design has been carefully restored, creating a living museum of gardening techniques used over centuries.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: French formal garden, educational, family-friendly
Created in: 1682 (restored in 2001)
History: Designed as a princely kitchen garden, later transformed into an educational space
Specificities & differentiators: Mix of vegetable gardening and small farm animals, heritage varieties, espalier fruit trees, educational workshops
Additional info: A unique combination of formal garden beauty with interactive animal encounters
Visitor Information
Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (April–November)
Fees: €9 adult / €8 senior / €5 child (3–12) | Paid parking available nearby
Address: 17 Rue de la Faisanderie, 60500 Chantilly, France
Website: www.potagerdesprinces.com
Instagram: @potagerdesprinces
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Le Potager du Château de Miromesnil – Normandy
A historical vegetable garden nestled within the grounds of Château de Miromesnil, where Guy de Maupassant was born. This 1-hectare potager follows traditional French kitchen garden principles, with geometric beds, espaliered fruit trees, and a wide variety of vegetables and flowers cultivated with organic methods.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Traditional French potager, structured with symmetrical beds
Created: 17th century
History: Originally designed as a self-sustaining food source for the château, it has been carefully maintained and restored
Specificities: Features rare heirloom vegetables, medicinal plants, and companion planting techniques
Surface: 4,500 m² (1.1 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: April to October: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Fees: Adults: €9 | Children (7-15): €6 | Under 7: Free | Parking: Free
Location: Château de Miromesnil, 76550 Tourville-sur-Arques, France
Website: https://www.chateaumiromesnil.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chateaumiromesnil/
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Le Potager du Château de Valmer – Loire Valley
A beautifully structured Renaissance-style vegetable garden within the vineyards of Château de Valmer. This organic potager covers 5,000 m² and follows traditional kitchen garden techniques, growing a diverse range of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers in raised beds surrounded by fruit trees and vines.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Renaissance-style potager with raised beds
Created: 17th century, restored in the 20th century
History: Originally a self-sustaining château garden, now organically cultivated
Specificities: Organic cultivation, historic layout, heirloom vegetables
Surface: 1.2 acres - 5,000 m²
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: April–Oct: 2 PM – 6 PM daily, closed on Sat
Fees: Adults: €10 | Children (6-12): €5 | Under 6: Free | Parking: Free
Location: Château de Valmer, 37210 Chançay, France
Website: www.chateaudevalmer.com
Instagram: @chateaudevalmer
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Le Potager du Château de Saint-Jean de Beauregard
A magnificent 17th-century walled vegetable garden, covering 2 hectares, designed in the tradition of French kitchen gardens. It is known for rare heritage vegetable varieties, fruit trees, and stunning flower-vegetable combinations.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: French formal walled kitchen garden
Created: 17th century
History: Originally built to supply the château with fresh produce, now a historical and botanical treasure
Specificities: Rare heirloom vegetables, trained fruit trees, unique seasonal displays
Surface: 5 acres - 20,000 m²
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Apr–Oct: Wed & Fri, 2 PM – 6 PM | Special events on weekends
Fees: Adults: €8 | Children: €5 | Under 6: Free | Parking: Free
Location: Château de Saint-Jean de Beauregard, 91940 Saint-Jean de Beauregard, France
Website: www.domsaintjeanbeauregard.com
Instagram: @chateausaintjeanbeauregard
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Le Potager du Domaine de Poulaines – Centre-Val de Loire
A 1,200 m² permaculture-inspired vegetable garden located within a 25-hectare historic estate. This stunning potager integrates edible flowers, heritage vegetables, and fruit trees in a biodiverse, natural setting. It follows eco-friendly principles and offers workshops for visitors.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Permaculture & traditional kitchen garden
Created: Early 21st century
History: Part of a historic estate, restored and designed to be both productive and decorative
Specificities: Organic methods, rare vegetable varieties, edible flowers, integrated biodiversity
Surface: 0.3 acres - 1,200 m²
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Apr–Oct: Wed–Sun, 10 AM – 6 PM
Fees: Adults: €9 | Children: €5 | Under 6: Free | Parking: Free
Location: Domaine de Poulaines, 36210 Poulaines, France
Website: www.domaine-poulaines.com
Instagram: @domainepoulaines
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Le Potager de la Ferme de Sainte-Marthe – Loir-et-Cher
A legendary organic vegetable farm with a 5,000 m² potager that serves as a living seed bank. This farm is the birthplace of one of France’s most famous organic seed companies and grows an astonishing diversity of heirloom vegetables, herbs, and flowers, all cultivated with sustainable farming techniques.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Biodiverse organic & seed-saving farm
Created: 1974
History: Founded by Philippe Desbrosses, a pioneer of organic farming in France
Specificities: Home to over 1,000 rare and heirloom vegetable varieties, with on-site training programs and workshops
Surface: 5,000 m²
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Mar–Oct: Mon–Sat, 10 AM – 6 PM
Fees: Free entry | Workshops may have fees | Parking: Free
Location: Ferme de Sainte-Marthe, 41160 Millançay, France
Website: www.fermedesaintemarthe.com
Instagram: @fermedesaintemarthe
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Le Potager du Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire – Loir-et-Cher
A stunning 5,000 m² vegetable garden within the famous Chaumont-sur-Loire estate, this potager is a masterpiece of design and biodiversity. It integrates ornamental and edible plants in a visually striking way, with heirloom vegetables, medicinal herbs, and experimental permaculture techniques.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Ornamental & productive vegetable garden with permaculture influences
Created: Early 2000s as part of the Domaine’s ecological initiatives
History: Located within the internationally renowned Chaumont-sur-Loire estate, known for its annual Garden Festival
Specificities: Experimental companion planting, rare vegetable varieties, and artistic vegetable displays
Surface: 1.2 acres - 5,000 m²
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Apr–Nov: Daily, 10 AM – 6 PM
Fees: Included in Domaine de Chaumont entry (€14-€20) | Parking: Free
Location: 41150 Chaumont-sur-Loire, France
Website: www.domaine-chaumont.fr
Instagram: @chaumontsurloire
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Le Potager du Château de Bournazel – Aveyron
A fully restored Renaissance vegetable garden of 6,000 m² (1.5 acres), featuring rare vegetables from the 16th century and an exceptional collection of medicinal plants.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Renaissance-style vegetable and medicinal garden
Created: 1550s, restored in the 2010s
History: Lost for centuries, rediscovered and replanted with original species from 16th-century texts
Specificities: Heritage crops, medicinal plants, rare 16th-century vegetable varieties, and a focus on historical agricultural techniques
Surface: 6,000 m² (1.5 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Apr–Oct: Tue–Sun, 2 PM – 6 PM
Fees: €10 entry | Parking: Free
Location: Château de Bournazel, 12390 Bournazel, France
Website: www.chateau-bournazel.fr
Instagram: @chateaubournazel
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Le Potager du Château de la Bourdaisière – Montlouis-sur-Loire
A unique and historical vegetable garden known for its National Tomato Conservatory, featuring over 700 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Created by Prince Louis Albert de Broglie, known as the "Prince Jardinier," this potager is a paradise for tomato lovers and biodiversity enthusiasts.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Conservatory & experimental garden
Date of creation: Late 1990s (as a conservatory)
History: Originally part of a Renaissance château’s estate, transformed into a leading site for heirloom seed preservation and ecological gardening.
Specificities:
Features one of the world's largest collections of tomatoes
Also grows many other vegetables and medicinal plants
Promotes sustainable farming techniques and biodiversity
Hosts annual tomato festival ("Festival de la Tomate")
Surface: 1.5 hectares (15,000 m² / 3.7 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: April to October, daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry Fee: Adults €9 | Reduced €7 | Free under 10
Parking: Free
Address: 25 Rue de la Bourdaisière, 37270 Montlouis-sur-Loire, France
Website: www.labourdaisiere.com
Instagram: @labourdaisiere
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Le Potager du Château de Villandry
One of France’s most famous and beautifully designed potagers, Villandry’s vegetable garden is a masterpiece of Renaissance garden artistry. It features nine ornamental vegetable squares arranged in geometric patterns, blending aesthetics with food production.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Ornamental French formal potager
Date of creation: 1906 (restored to Renaissance style)
History: Originally designed in the 16th century, it was restored in the early 20th century to reflect its historic grandeur.
Uses over 40 varieties of vegetables in symmetrical patterns
Designed with seasonal color rotations
Integrated with flowers and medicinal plants
A living example of Renaissance kitchen garden aesthetics
Surface: 12,500 m² (1.25 hectares / 3 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Open year-round, 9:00 AM – 6:00/7:00 PM (varies by season)
Entry Fee: Adults €13 | Reduced €8.50 | Free under 8
Parking: Free
Address: 3 Rue Principale, 37510 Villandry, France
Website: www.chateauvillandry.fr
Instagram: @chateauvillandry
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Le Potager du Château de Cormatin – Saône-et-Loire
A historical kitchen garden within the Château de Cormatin, designed to provide fresh produce for the castle. This potager has been carefully restored with heritage vegetable varieties and traditional gardening techniques.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Historical kitchen garden
Date of creation: Originally 17th century, restored in the 20th century
History: Once used to supply the castle with vegetables and herbs, it has been brought back to life as part of the château’s preservation efforts.
Maintains heritage vegetable varieties
Integrated fruit trees and medicinal plants
Features traditional espalier techniques for fruit growing
Surface: 5,000 m² (0.5 hectare / 1.2 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: April to October, daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Adults €10 | Reduced €7 | Free under 6
Parking: Free
Address: Château de Cormatin, 71460 Cormatin, France
Website: www.chateaudecormatin.com
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Le Potager du Château de Lude – Sarthe
A stunning historic and working vegetable garden, still producing food for the château. This moated castle’s potager is a mix of functionality and beauty, featuring heirloom vegetables, espalier fruit trees, and aromatic herbs.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Heritage working potager
Date of creation: 19th century
History: Originally designed to be a self-sufficient kitchen garden, it has been maintained and restored as a traditional château potager.
Specificities:
Uses natural composting and organic growing
Features an impressive fruit orchard with espalier trees
Still actively provides produce for the castle
Surface: 5,500 m² (0.55 hectare / 1.36 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: April to September, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Adults €9.50 | Reduced €7 | Free under 7
Parking: Free
Address: 72800 Le Lude, Sarthe, France
Website: www.lelude.com
Instagram: @chateaudelude
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Le Verger-Potager du Château de Montigny-sur-Aube
A rare combination of a historical orchard and vegetable garden, this château’s potager focuses on preserving heritage fruit and vegetable varieties, while also being an active educational site on organic growing techniques.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Historical orchard-potager
Date of creation: 19th century
History: Created as a self-sufficient garden for the château, it has been restored with a focus on biodiversity and traditional growing methods.
Specificities:
Home to over 300 fruit trees
Grows rare heirloom vegetable varieties
Offers educational workshops on sustainable gardening
Surface: 7,000 m² (0.7 hectare / 1.73 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: May to October, 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: Adults €9 | Reduced €6 | Free under 12
Parking: Free
Address: 21520 Montigny-sur-Aube, Côte-d'Or, France
Website: www.chateaudemontigny.com
Instagram: @chateaudemontignysuraube
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Le Potager du Château de la Roche-Jagu
Nestled in the lush landscapes of Brittany, Le Potager du Château de la Roche-Jagu is a remarkable medieval-inspired vegetable garden. Overlooking the Trieux estuary, this garden is an ecological and educational gem, designed with permaculture principles and historical gardening techniques. Visitors can explore beautifully cultivated plots featuring heritage vegetables, medicinal plants, and fruit trees, all grown sustainably. The château itself, a striking 15th-century fortress, adds to the garden’s historical charm.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Medieval-inspired, ecological, permaculture-oriented
Creation: Redesigned as a historical and ecological garden in the late 20th century
History: Originally a defensive fortress, now a cultural and botanical heritage site
Specificities: Heritage vegetable varieties, medicinal plants, fruit orchards, permaculture principles, and an educational approach
Surface: Approx. 1,000 m² (0.25 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening hours: April–October, daily from 10 AM to 6:30 PM; limited access in winter
Entry fees: Free entry to the gardens; château visit: ~€5
Parking: Free on-site
Address: Château de la Roche-Jagu, 22260 Ploëzal, France
Website: www.larochejagu.fr
Instagram: @larochejagu
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Le Potager du Château de la Roche-Guyon
Nestled along the Seine River, Le Potager du Château de la Roche-Guyon is a beautifully restored 17th-century vegetable garden located in the heart of one of France’s most picturesque castles. This historic kitchen garden was designed to provide fresh produce for the château’s residents and remains a thriving example of sustainable and traditional gardening techniques. Surrounded by the imposing cliffside fortress, the garden boasts rare heirloom vegetables, medicinal plants, and fruit trees, cultivated using organic and permaculture methods.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Historic French kitchen garden with a permaculture approach
Creation: 17th century, restored in the late 20th century
History: Once supplied fresh produce to the château’s noble residents and remains an integral part of its cultural landscape
Specificities: Heritage vegetable varieties, espaliered fruit trees, medicinal plants, and an organic gardening philosophy
Surface: Approx. 3,800 m² (0.94 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening hours: April–October, daily from 10 AM to 6 PM
Entry fees: Garden included with château entry (~€8 adults, free for children under 7)
Parking: Free public parking nearby
Address: Château de la Roche-Guyon, 1 Rue de l'Audience, 95780 La Roche-Guyon, France
Website: www.chateaudelarocheguyon.fr
Instagram: @chateaudelarocheguyon
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Potager du Château de Chambord
The Potager du Château de Chambord is a recent addition to the historic estate, reflecting a commitment to ecological practices and sustainable agriculture. Established in 2019, this vegetable garden employs permaculture principles and bio-intensive farming methods to cultivate a diverse array of produce.
The Potager du Château de Chambord offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore sustainable agriculture within the context of a historic French estate. Its combination of traditional techniques and modern ecological practices makes it a noteworthy destination for those interested in gardening, history, and environmental stewardship.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Permaculture-based, bio-intensive vegetable garden
Date of Creation: 2019
History: Initiated three years after the restoration of the château's French formal gardens, the potager was developed to reintroduce agricultural activity to the estate. It draws inspiration from 19th-century Parisian market gardening techniques and local Sologne practices.
Cultivation of a wide variety of vegetables and fruits using permaculture and bio-intensive methods
Planting of 2,000 fruit trees and establishment of hedgerows to support local biodiversity
Educational programs and workshops focusing on agroecology and sustainable farming
Integration of produce into the estate's restaurants, promoting a farm-to-table approach
Surface: Initially 5,000 m² (1.2 acres), expanded to an additional 5 hectares (12.4 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: April to October, daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fees: Access to the potager is included with château admission; Adults: €14.50, Reduced: €12, Free for children under 18
Parking: Available on-site; fees may apply
Address: Château de Chambord, 41250 Chambord, France
Website: www.chambord.org
Instagram: @chateaudechambord
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Le Potager du Château de Chenonceau
The kitchen garden of Château de Chenonceau is a masterpiece of historical horticulture. Nestled within the prestigious grounds of one of France’s most famous castles, this vegetable garden blends Renaissance elegance with productive agriculture. Its carefully designed layout and abundance of vegetables, herbs, and flowers make it a must-visit for garden and history enthusiasts alike.
A must-visit destination for history lovers, garden enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the beauty of heirloom vegetable gardens!
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Traditional French formal kitchen garden
Size: 5,000 m² (~1.24 acres)
Date of creation: Recently restored in the 21st century
History: Originally designed to provide fresh produce for the royal court, this modern recreation respects the castle’s horticultural traditions.
Specificities: Organized in neatly arranged squares, combining vegetables, herbs, and flowers; seamlessly integrated into the stunning landscape of Château de Chenonceau.
Additional info: Features rare and heirloom vegetable varieties, cultivated with environmentally conscious practices.
Visitor Information
Opening hours: Open daily; hours vary by season, check the official website for details.
Fees: Included in the château entrance ticket – Adults: €16, Children (7-18): €13, Free for children under 7.
Address: Château de Chenonceau, 37150 Chenonceaux, France
Official website: www.chenonceau.com
Instagram: @chateaudechenonceau
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Le Potager du Château de Pesselières – Near Sancerre
Nestled within the Parc de Pesselières, the vegetable garden is part of a beautifully restored estate in the Cher region, near Sancerre. This historically inspired potager is part of a larger, organically maintained park featuring remarkable trees, a topiary walk, a hornbeam maze, and an orchard.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Classical French potager, organically maintained
Created: The estate dates back to medieval times, with the gardens restored in recent years
History: Pesselières is a former seigneurial estate, with gardens redesigned to blend heritage with ecological gardening
Specificities: The potager is integrated into a "Jardin Remarquable", a label given to exceptional gardens in France
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: April to October: Weekends & holidays 2 PM – 6 PM - July & August: Wednesday to Sunday 2 PM – 6 PM
Fees: Adults €7 | Children (under 12) Free | Group rates available
Parking: Free on-site parking
Address: Château de Pesselières, 18220 Jalognes, France
Website: chateau-pesselieres.com
Phone: +33 2 48 72 90 49
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Le Potager du Château de Villaines – Sarthe
Located in the Sarthe region, Le Potager du Château de Villaines is a magnificent 17th-century walled vegetable garden. Featuring a geometric design, this meticulously restored potager harmonizes with the château’s formal gardens. A testament to French horticultural excellence, it includes espaliered fruit trees, organic vegetable cultivation, and ornamental flowers, earning it the prestigious “Jardin Remarquable” designation.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Formal French potager with a classic 17th-century layout
Creation: 1670, restored in the 2000s
History: Historically used for estate food production, now a heritage garden
Specificities: Symmetrical design, espaliered fruit trees, heirloom vegetables, labeled “Jardin Remarquable”
Surface: Approx. 4,500 m² (1.1 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening hours: June–September, Sundays from 2 PM to 6 PM
Entry fees: €7 per adult, free for children under 12
Parking: Free on-site parking
Address: Château de Villaines, 72210 Louplande, France
Website: www.chateaudevillaines.fr
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Le Potager du Château de La Bussière – Loiret
Also known as the "Fishermen’s Castle," the Château de La Bussière boasts a stunning 18th-century walled kitchen garden. This 1.5-hectare potager has retained its original layout and features an extensive variety of vegetables, medicinal herbs, fruit trees, and berries. The garden is also home to an interactive family experience, with treehouses and garden games, making it a must-visit destination for families.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: Historic walled potager with traditional French design
Creation: 18th century, continuously cultivated
History: Originally created for château food supply, now restored as a public garden
Specificities: Heritage vegetable varieties, medicinal plants, berry picking, family-friendly activities
Surface: Approx. 15,000 m² (3.7 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening hours: April–October, daily from 10 AM to 6 PM
Entry fees: €11 per adult, €8 per child, free under 4
Parking: Free on-site parking
Address: Château de La Bussière, 45230 La Bussière, France
Website: https://www.jardins-de-france.com/parc-jardin-et-potager-du-chateau-de-la-bussiere
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Le Potager Caillebotte – Yerres
The Caillebotte Estate in Yerres was once the home of Impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte. Its beautifully restored potager recreates the gardening traditions of the 19th century, blending ornamental flower beds with productive vegetable plots. The estate is a cultural and botanical landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into artistic and horticultural history.
The Vegetable Garden
Style: 19th-century aesthetic potager with mixed flowers and vegetables
Creation: 1800s, restored in 2010
History: A historically inspired garden tied to the Impressionist movement
Specificities: Ornamental vegetable beds, historic varieties, artistic garden design
Surface: Approx. 2,500 m² (0.62 acres)
Visitor Information
Opening hours: April–October, Wednesday–Sunday from 2 PM to 6 PM
Entry fees: €8 per adult, €4 per child
Parking: Free parking nearby
Address: 8 Rue de Concy, 91330 Yerres, France
Website: https://www.valdyerres.com/le-potager-du-parc-caillebotte/
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