The Domaine National de Port-Royal des Champs is a place steeped in history, located in Magny-les-Hameaux, in the heart of the Vallée de Chevreuse. It comprises the ruins of the abbey of Port-Royal des Champs and the national museum, formerly the Musée des Granges. This unique forest and landscape estate bears precious witness to the history of the abbey and Jansenism.
Founded in 1204,the abbey was a hotbed of Jansenist thought, with an intense religious, intellectual and political life. Unfortunately, on the orders of Louis XIV, the site was destroyed in the 17th century. Today, almost nothing remains of this once flourishing monastery, but the estate has become a place of memory and history that inspires intellectuals and visitors alike.
The museum has two main sites:
The Granges site: Here we discover a farm close to the abbey, where a building was constructed in 1651-52 to serve as a boarding school. On display are paintings, books, drawings and engravings that tell the story of the abbey. Among the works on display are canvases by Philippe de Champaigne and his nephew Jean-Baptiste, as well as paintings and drawings by Jean Restout, Jacques Stella and Hyacinthe Rigaud. The site is also home to Pascal's well, an orchard rebuilt according to the agronomic principles of Angélique Arnauld's brother, and utility gardens.
The Abbey site: the site of the cloister, where lime trees have been planted in the area of the ambulatory. A lawn replaces the cemetery where the nuns were buried. The church, adjoining the cloister, was rebuilt by the "Solitaires" between 1620 and 1630, and features a 15th-century dovecote and a canal dug in the Middle Ages. A herb garden, a herbarium and an apiary recall the importance of agricultural activities in a Cistercian abbey.
The estate is open all year round, with special opening times for the abbey ruins and the museum. It's also possible to get to the estate using the Baladobus shuttle bus from Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse station, or by bike, as the museum is on the Véloscenie Paris/Le Mont Saint-Michel itinerary.
Programs :
How to get there:
Admission fees :
Site des Granges (permanent collections, temporary exhibitions and park) :
Abbey site (ruins and park): free admission
The Domaine National de Port-Royal des Champs offers a cultural and historical experience at an affordable price. Whether you're a history buff, an art lover or simply looking for an enriching outing, this site is a must-see destination. So don't hesitate, come and discover this place steeped in history in the heart of the Vallée de Chevreuse.
Dates and Opening Time
Starts January 9, 2025
Location
Port-Royal des Champs Museum
Les Granges de Port-Royal
78114 Magny les Hameaux
Access
RER B to Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, RER C to Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, then bus 464
Prices
Ruines et parc de l'Abbaye: Free
1er dimanche du mois: Free
Musée: €4.5
Recommended age
For all
