Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2024: visit the park and stroll through Victor Hugo's Literary House

Have you heard of Rendez-vous aux Jardins, the event that invites families, plant lovers and the curious in need of a breath of fresh air to the parks and gardens of the Île-de-France region? It's back for another edition, on June 1 and 2, 2024, to help you discover the most beautiful green spaces in the Ile-de-France region, in the heart of cities, museums or castles! With guided or unusual tours, gourmet breaks and events of all kinds, come and discover your passion for nature!

Head for Essonne and a superb estate tucked away in the Bièvre valley, the Maison littéraire de Victor Hugo, not to be confused with the one on Place des Vosges, in the heart of Paris! Inaugurated in 1991, the house was once owned by Bertin l'Aîné, a friend of the French writer and poet who used to spend time here. Château des Roches is set in the heart of a magnificent 11-hectare wooded estate, with landscaped walkways, a tower overlooking the estate and a lake.

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Victor Hugo's literary home, a country house lost in the Bièvre valley (91)
You've heard of the house of writer Victor Hugo, located on the Place Vosges, but have you heard of Victor Hugo's literary home? Far from Paris, this exceptional residence is well worth a visit. Shall we take you there? [Read more]

The Rendez-vous aux jardins 2024 program

• Self-guided tour of the park and literary walk
  June 1 and 2
  

  The Maison Littéraire de Victor Hugo is located in the Château des Roches, formerly the property of Bertin l'aîné, director of the Journal des Débats in the 19th century, where he hosted a literary salon whose most illustrious guest was Victor Hugo. He created an 11-hectare English-style park on the banks of the Bièvre River, with a pond and an island that lend it a romantic charm. During his first long stay, in July 1831, the poet wrote:
  "Here flowers last long that last little,
  Here the soul contemplates, listens, adores, aspires,
  And takes pity on the world, narrow and mad empire."
  Les Feuilles d'automne, "Bièvre", July 8, 1831.

  
  
  
• Visit to the "Victor Hugo and Peace" exhibition
  June 1 and 2
  

  The son of a general, Victor Hugo was confronted from childhood with the violent events of his time. This gave him the determination that men of the spirit should succeed men of the sword, which is why, as a private citizen, peer of France, deputy, outlaw or senator, he was always profoundly a man of peace. As he wrote in Prose philosophique: "Man made people, that's liberty; people made man, that's fraternity. Liberty and fraternity amalgamated, that's harmony. Harmony, more than peace. Men at peace are passive; men in harmony are active. The exhibition aims to highlight the different facets of the great man's pacific action, by presenting original editions, engravings, objects, letters and manuscripts on the subject, some of which are exceptional as they have been classified as "National Treasures as Historic Monuments".