Beyond Giverny
24.34 The Domaine de Villarceaux in the Vexin
Ah, Giverny, within an hour of Paris Claude Monet truly found an idyllic spot near the Seine as it wends its way north. Giverny is beautiful, and definitely worth seeing. Go early, get your tickets on line and use the secret side entrance… and even then, on beautiful days, expect it to be quite crowded. I don’t mean to dash your Emily in Paris dreams. I want to expand them to new horizons! Don’t hesitate having lunch at Restaurant Baudy, it is actually quite good if you are not part of a package tour, and it is a definite voyage dans le temps.
—> And then there is the Domaine de Villarceaux, a 20 minute drive from Giverny into the heart of the Vexin Natural Park. A calm oasis spead over 173 acres where you can meander past early 16th century buildings, stroll next to the 17th-century water garden and make your way up to the 18th-century Château and hardly cross a soul. A quiet respite after bustling Giverny.
Some weekends feature special hours, picnics and concerts, so be sure to check out the schedule of events on the Ile-de-France website.
DETAILS
Domaine régional de Villarceaux
95710 Chaussy
Tuesday - Sunday 14h - 18h
Free (dogs not allowed)
Open until 3 November 2024
TERROIR
La Bergerie de Villarceaux
For those particularly interested in ecology and agriculture, the Bergerie de Villarceaux is the 988-acre eco-agricultural site adjoining the property of the Domaine. This is a working farm with vast plains planted to maximize ecological diversity. The Bergerie also offers eco-accommodations in the form of gîtes in rehabilitated farm buildings - multi-room family-size rentals, as well as facilities for large group meetings and meals.
—> Save time before or after visiting the Domain to check out the farm store (Boulangerie: Tuesday-Sunday 15h - 18h & Vegetables: Friday 15h - 18h and Saturday 10h - 12h) where you will find produce, bread and meat—all organic and sustainably produced on the land. The store is located in the building at the center of the parking lot for the Bergerie.
If you live in Paris or have a vacation rental in the area, this is a delicious way to support local organic farming.
A weekly round-up from « FRANQUE » of things to do, places to visit, markets and festivals around the hexagone.
We support the off-the-beaten-path cultural visits, traditional artisans, regional products and winemakers of exception.
CULTURE
Until 23 August | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | Alpes Maritimes | 06088 Nice | Nice Jazz Fest | Program and tickets Phoenix is playing the 22 August!
>> until 25 August | Ile-de-France | 75016 Paris | Musée Yves Saint Laurent : Sheer: The diaphanous creations of Yves Saint Laurent | Tickets here – Last days !
>> until 25 August | Ile-de-France | 75016 Paris | Musée d’Art Moderne : Présences arabes : Art moderne et décolonisation. Paris 1908-1988 | Tickets here – Last days !
29 August – 8 September | Ile -de-France | Paris | Jazz à la Villette | Tickets & Info
until 2 September | Ile-de-France | 75016 Paris | Cité d’Architecture : Notre Dame de Paris des bâtisseurs aux restaurateurs | Purchase tickets at venue
until 7 September (weekends) | Ile-de-France | 75012 Paris | Parc Floral Botanic Gardens : Classique au Vert music festival | Tickets & Info
until 29 September | Brittany | Ile-et-Vilaine | 35400 Saint-Malo | Chappelle de la Victoire : Lee Miller, Saint-Malo Assiégée, Août 1944, rare photography by this photojournalist. | More Info
until 15 September | Centre-Val-de-Loire | Indre-et-Loire | 37400 Amboise | Clos Lucé:Château Leonardo da Vinci : Exhibit - Léonard de Vinci et les parfums à la Renaissance | More Info & Tickets
CRAFT
23-25 August | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | Doubs | 25330 Nans-Sous-Sainte-Anne | Musée de la Taillanderie (Blacksmith) | Agenda & More Info
25 August | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | Var | 83520 Roquebrune-sur-Argens | Ceramics Fair : Marché Potier | 9 – 19h | Free
26 August | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | Loire | 42360 Cottance > 42510 Bussières | The fabrication of alpaca wool: Begin with a visit of alpaca farm La Ferme de Kalmia followed by a hands-on wool production experience at le musée du Tissage et de la soierie | ages 5+ / 6€ | reserve here
28 August – 8 September | Ile-de-France | 75006 Paris | Salon Bel Ouvrage | Porte Fleurus - 7 rue Guynemer | 11h – 19h30
7 – 8 September | Centre-Val-de-Loire | Laval 53 | Festival de la Vannerie Mayenne | More Info
TERROIR
21 and 28 August | Occitanie | Aveyron | Pays de Roquefort | 12440 St.-Affrique | L’Arc-en-Miel: Organic honey & Beekeeping Experience | Must reserve (visits at 14h15 et 16h45)
21,22,28,29 August | Brittany | Finistère | 29360 Clohars-Carnoët | Visit L’Apothécaire, a Cider, Juice and Vinegar producer (some certified organic) | 11h | No reservation
20 et 27 August | Normandy | Seine-Maritime | 76490 Rives-en-Seine | Visit a Rainbow trout farm, Normand Truites | 18h – 21h | free
21 et 28 August | Pays-de-la-Loire | Loire Atlantique | 44420 Mesquer | Le Marché du Terroir et de l’Artisanat (9h – 13h) au port de Kercabellec (mairie de Mesquer with the association Terroirs 44
22 August | Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur | Bouches-du-Rhône | 13089 Aix-en-Provence | Soirée Calisson-Vin en Musique : La Confiserie du Roy René & Château de Calavon (bio)| Piano jazz | 18h30 – 21h | discounts on purchase | reservation required
22 – 25 August | Grand-Est | Moselle | Metz 57000 | Fête de la Mirabelle (free) | More Info
23-24 August | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | Beaujolais | Chiroubles 69115 | Jazz Fest’Chiroubles | More Info / Tickets
24-25 August | Centre-Val-de-Loire | Indre | Le Berry | 36230 Neuvy-Saint-Sépulchre | 49ème Foire Bio (Organic Festival)
28 August | Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur | Bouches-du-Rhône | 13090 Aix-en-Provence | Parcours des Savoir-Faire Français : La Confiserie du Roy René – rare visit of the ateliers of one of the most famous calissons makers in Provence | 10h (1.5 hour visit only in French, children 10+ years old) | Must reserve (only 9 places total)