Just a stone’s throw from the capital, a veritable haven of greenery and history awaits the curious for an exceptional weekend. The Château de La Celle-Saint-Cloud, owned by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is exceptionally opening its park and kitchen garden to visitors. The perfect opportunity for a cultural getaway.
Château de La Celle-Saint-Cloud – Four centuries of history just a stone’s throw from Paris
Born of a simple farm in the XVIIᵉ century, the estate quickly became an elegant residence that seduced the famous Marquise de Pompadour in the mid XVIIIᵉ. She transformed it, giving it its nickname of “Petit Château “. Subsequently, successive wealthy owners added their touches before it was finally bequeathed to the State in 1951. Today, it remains a reception area for the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, which explains why it is not permanently open.
A sumptuous park and a weekend of free events
The vast grounds are lined with majestic avenues, including the famous “allée des arbres étrangers”, where rare species and exotic trees stand side by side. For the occasion, theOrangerie hosts an exhibition onbeekeeping, with demonstrations and workshops to help visitors understand the essential role bees play in our ecosystem.
Practical info
- Park and kitchen garden open: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (access via rue Gustave Mesureur).
- Guided tours of the park: Saturday at 10:30 am; Sunday at 10:30 am, 2 pm and 4:30 pm.
- Beekeeping exhibition in the Orangerie: Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, times confirmed when the park opens.
All activities are free of charge and do not require a reservation.
