It’s true, we often talk about Paris here, but it has to be said: the Île-de-France region also abounds in hidden treasures, and Parc Fauvel is a fine example. Located in Villennes-sur-Seine, this astonishing park plunges you into an almost fairytale-like atmosphere, with its moss-lined grotto and bucolicwaterfalls . Yes, all this just half an hour from the capital!
A surprisingly magical park just outside Paris
This weekend, set course for the pretty village of Villennes-sur-Seine. This is where you’ll find one of the most enchanting spots in the Yvelines: Parc du Docteur Fauvel. A charming place full of surprises.
As you stroll along, you’ll come across a verdant, moss-covered grotto and a peaceful waterfall, all set against a backdrop… totally artificial, of course, but stunning! If the grotto looks familiar, that’s normal: it was designed by the same landscape architect who created the grotto in the Bois de Boulogne! Long abandoned, the grotto will be fully restored in 2021 thanks to the efforts of the Villennes-sur-Seine town council.
Landscape designer Louis-Sulpice Varé played with the park’s natural gradients, and drew inspiration from the charm of London’s Hyde Park to create this magnificent green space. Between the lapping of the three waterfalls, the small crystalline lakes and the streams winding through the moss, the illusion of a fairytale setting is complete. And here’s a little ecological touch: the water from the cascades is reused to water the village’s plants and flowers. A nice gesture for the planet!
The cave, however photogenic, remains closed to the public. However, it may be possible to open it on the occasion of the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days).
The park boasts one of the 20 most beautiful trees in the Île-de-France region. And beyond the trees, whose local and exotic species have been carefully selected, you’ll see that everything here has been designed to flatter visitors’ eyes. Between the flowering bosquets, the paths lined with a transparent river and the streams carved into the moss-covered rock, the park has all the romantic English garden we love so much. A magnificent place, perfect for all Parisians in search of tranquillity.
📍Location: Parc du Dr Fauvel 78670 Villennes-sur-Seine
🚘Access: 30 minutes from Paris (train from Saint-Lazare or by car)
💶Price: Free