How about... Rendez-vous aux Jardins this year? During the weekend of Friday June 2, Saturday June 3 and Sunday June 4, 2023, lovers of beautiful gardens are in for a treat: in Paris, the Île-de-France region and, above all, all over France, numerous public and private gardens are opening their doors to the curious young and old for a weekend.
What's on the program? Activities, guided tours, concerts, children's activities... A golden opportunity to discover green gems that you wouldn't normally be able to visit, while taking part in free events open to all.
For the long-awaited Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2023 event, you can visit the Matignon garden: officially the residence of the Prime Minister, theHôtel de Matignon is one of the most powerful buildings in Paris, whose architectural and botanical heritage remains hidden from Parisians all year round. Only twice a year, on the occasion of the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) and the Rendez-vous aux Jardins, does the government open the huge green door at 36 rue de Babylone to let Parisians appreciate the magnificent two-hectare garden designed by Claude Desgot, André Le Nôtre's grand-nephew, in 1725 and remodeled in 1902 by Achille Duchêne.Those who look closely at the grove will see two tombstones beneath a magnolia tree, those of an ambassador's dog and cat, a reminder of the time when the Hôtel de Matignon was theAustrian-Hungarian embassy, and also the Hôtel de Matignon apiary, set apart from the residence.
The garden is a haven of peace, with its avenue of 111 lime trees. Here and there, the minister can hold confidential conversations at the foot of one of the 13 trees planted by prime ministers since 1978. The latest tree to be planted is an ash, chosen by Jean Castex for its resistance and solidity. His predecessor, Édouard Philippe, chose an apple tree in 2018.
Between history, heritage and beautiful gardens, the garden of the Hôtel Matignon is an unmissable destination for these Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2023.
The Hôtel de Matignon, the Prime Minister's residence, boasts an exceptional garden in several respects. Its surface area of almost 2 hectares makes it the largest private garden in Paris. Its history, spanning three centuries, is an outstanding example of the evolution of taste in gardening from the 18th century to the present day. Some of its trees are remarkable for their species, size, age or history. Among them, the trees planted by Prime Ministers since 1978 represent a highly original tradition, rich in anecdotes. As part of the Rendez-vous aux jardins, we invite you to stroll through the shady alleys, exceptionally open to the public, to discover this unique heritage. And this year, all your senses will be awakened! Using a system of Qr-codes, and in collaboration with the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, you'll be able to hear the songs of forty-four birds recently inventoried in the garden. In the company of the CPN Val-de-Seine association, we're counting on your keen eyesight to observe and recognize the animals hidden in our soil. Observation will also be key to understanding the tricks gardeners used to create the accelerated perspective of the 18th-century garden. To awaken your taste buds, Matignon's chefs will be serving up a range of ice creams made from ingredients sourced from natural elements found in the garden. It's also a unique opportunity to taste honey from Matignon's beehives. The national collection of osmanthus, for which the garden is accredited, will be showcased thanks to a partnership with the Conservatoire des collections végétales spécialisées and the Osmothèque - Conservatoire international des parfums: from the flower to perfumery, all aspects - particularly olfactory - of this little-known plant will be covered! Finally, don't hesitate to roll up your sleeves and discover the textures of the different types of wood found in the garden, or help your children repot a little plant to take home. Many other surprises await you during this multi-sensory stroll, so come one, come all!
Dates and Opening Time
From June 3rd, 2023 to June 4th, 2023
Location
Hôtel Matignon
57 Rue de Varenne
75007 Paris 7
Prices
Free
Official website
rendezvousauxjardins.culture.gouv.fr
