Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The estate of the Grange-aux-Champs was originally a monastic barn dependent on the Abbey of Montiers-en-Argonne in 1237. Turned into a mansion around 1500, it became a fortress in the 16th century, owned by the Nettancourt family (1634-1785), which exploited it as a farm. The monks had dug ponds there for fish farming, elements still visible today.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the estate evolved with the addition of ornaments by successive owners: Mr. Baudot (King's Attorney) and the Lallemand-Fontenoy family, who acquired the statue of Neptune in 1802 and renovated buildings such as laundry. The park, originally in French, was redesigned in English romantic style in the 19th century by the Pépinierists Philippe and Arbeaumont for the present family, owner since 1863.

The 22-hectare park, classified arboretum, is home to rare species (sewwoods, Japanese maples, Virginia tulip tree) and 18th-century statues carved by Louis Humbert, representing Neptune and Amphitrite. The estate, which was listed as a historic monument in 1992, also includes utilitarian elements such as a washhouse, a apiary and a refrigerator, as evidence of past agricultural and horticultural uses.

The surrounding forest, typical of the afterglaciation, retains a local flora (coughs, ferns, heathers) while the park blends monastic heritage, 19th century landscape developments and botanical collections. The site participates in the "Rendez-vous aux jardins" operation every first weekend in June.

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