For its 43ᵉ édition, to be held on 19 et 20 septembre 2026, the Journées européennes du patrimoine return to light up Paris and the whole Île-de-France. Each year, this unmissable event opens the doors for free to famous châteaux, but also to lesser-known edifices that are worth a visit. It’s an opportunity for a cultural outing in the Yvelines to explore hidden heritage and lift the veil on an overlooked funerary relic: the Montgomery tomb.
This is the mausoleum of Count Henri Georges de Pembroke et de Montgomery. Built in 1901 on the wooded hillside of the Claireau, the edifice was commissioned by Lucille Ditte to honour the memory of her husband, who had died suddenly in 1900, the Count Henri Georges de Pembroke et de Montgomery. A passionate poetess, the countess had this sanctuary erected to house the family crypt, where the count, his sister, and then Lucille herself lay at rest, before the vaults were moved decades later after the estate fell into neglect.
Architecturally, the mausoleum sits squarely in the neo-classical, eclectic style that was all the rage at the turn of the 20th century. This approach borrows freely from Greco-Roman and Egyptian forms: a triangular pediment, sculpted columns, and the symbolic presence of two sphinxes at the entrance. Unlike the more Gothic funerary chapels common around Paris, this antique-inspired cenotaph serves as a romantic, timeless statement set among the greenery. Although worn by time, the carved stone still exudes its original elegance. Below you’ll find the schedule and activities planned for this weekend of visits:
Guided tour of Montgomery's tomb
### Come rediscover Montgomery's tomb and the lost architectural heritage of the Chevreuse Valley!
This guided tour will invite residents of the Chevreuse Valley and beyond to rediscover Montgomery's tomb, long forgotten. Built in 1901 to mark in the landscape the memory of Georges de Montgomery (1845-1900), it has waned in splendor and quality after years of neglect and deterioration. The visit aims to highlight Chevreuse's funeral heritage and to recount its history, notably through old postcards. While the Claireau manor has disappeared, gathering around the tomb will also evoke the castle that was razed in the 1960s after extensive looting and destruction.
Participation conditions: Note that the site is not accessible to people with reduced mobility. The tomb lies in a forested area that's hard to reach. - No reservation required | Free
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 to 11:45
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Dates and Opening Time
On September 19, 2026
Location
The Tomb of Montgomery
hauts de chevreuse, 78460 saint-rémy-lès-chevreuse
78460 Chevreuse
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