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Origin and history

The Bosc Cemetery is a small family cemetery located in the forest of Montmorency, on the territory of the commune of Saint-Prix (Val-d'Oise). It houses the tombs of the naturalist Louis-Augustin Bosc d'Antic (1759-1828), his wife, his daughter and several of his parents. This discreet place, accessible only by a path, is closely linked to the history of the French Revolution and the intellectual circles of the time.

Louis-Augustin Bosc d'Antic, president of the Société des naturalistes français, discovers the forest of Montmorency during its herborisations in the valley of the château de la Chasse, in the company of the pupils of Jussieu. In 1791 he inaugurated the bust of Rousseau in Montmorency and settled in 1792 near the château de la Chasse. During the Terror, he protected his girondin friends, hiding Manon Roland's memories in his home. Disguised as a peasant, he transported medicinal plants between Saint-Prix and Domont to avoid suspicions.

This cemetery, located west of the Château de la Chasse, is a testimony of local history and revolutionary networks. It has been listed as historic monuments since 19 August 1933, recognizing its heritage and memorial importance. Its isolation in the forest and its restricted access make it a mysterious and historic place.

The site is also linked to major figures of the Revolution, such as Manon Roland and La Réveillière Lépeaux, with whom Bosc maintained relations. His role as a smuggler between Rousseau's ideas and the political actors of the era makes him a symbolic place, far beyond his funeral function.

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