Le Potager des Princes, a remarkable garden and lively animal park

The Potager des Princes de Chantilly is set in 3 hectares of historic parkland. Classified as a remarkable garden, the Potager des Princes is now a wildlife park, making it a real paradise for families. Created by an enthusiast, the garden was taken over by Yves Bienaimé, who was saddened that the town of Chantilly wanted to destroy the Château 's centuries-old garden to make way for housing. He has revived the site and the garden, preserving the soul of the Château's pheasantry.

For the record, the Potager des Princes once belonged to the Princes de Condé. It was part of the Princes de Condé park on the Chantilly estate until the 18th century, when it was sold during the Revolution. Saved from destruction, the Potager des Princes is now a remarkable place, with ponds, statues, trellises and even a farmyard that can be visited all year round.

In 1999, Yves Bienaimée restored the Potager des Princes to its former glory, installing some thirty statues in theItalian "putti"style, which mingle with the trellises, basins and theater, bringing this unique site to life all year round...

The gentle valleys and slopes offer a beautiful perspective on the different styles of gardens that make up the park: Japanese garden, Garden of Eden (with magnificent paintings), kitsch garden (kingdom of pottery dwarfs), Topiary garden in the shape of a chess set... But also an exotic garden, a romantic garden, abamboo labyrinth, orchards... in a beautiful environment with multiple plant species.

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In 2013, Yves and Annabel Bienaimé created a veritable animal park. Rabbits, sheep, pheasants, turkeys, geese, goats, ponies, donkeys and dwarf horses have all returned to the Potager des Princes, much to the delight of children!

The kitchen garden also hosts a variety of shows throughout the season in its open-air amphitheatre, with a breathtaking view over the magnificent lake and surrounding countryside. Described by Jacques Weber as "the most beautiful romantic theater on a human scale", the theater hosts concerts and plays in an enchanting setting, including the "La scène au Jardin" theater festival in summer.

All year round, especially during the school vacations, there's plenty to keep the family entertained.

In short, a visit to the Potager des Princes is a real getaway in the heart of nature, for a moment of relaxation and a return to basics that does the whole family a world of good.