Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Maisons-Laffitte park corresponds to the main axes of the old castle park, built for René de Longeuil by François Mansart from 1634. The works began with a market for eight ionic columns, and the work ended around 1646, as indicated by the date engraved on the pediment. The park was integrated into a large composition including a forecourt, stables, and monumental entrance pavilions, some of which still remain.

In 1777, the castle and its park were acquired by the Count of Artois, who undertook renovation work between 1779 and 1782, including the creation of an orangery and the decoration of apartments by Lhuillier. In the 19th century, the park evolved under various owners: Jacques Laffitte had the stables destroyed in 1834 and the interiors modified, while Thomas Colmar commissioned in 1858 a project to remodel the gardens by the landscape architect Duvillers.

The present park, listed as a historical monument in 1963, retains two perpendicular aisles (General Leclerc Avenue and Eglé Avenue) and elements of the historic entrances. It is bounded by squares and avenues bordering the center of Maisons-Laffitte. The remains of the pavilions and gates, like the courtyard of the northern pavilions, testify to its original organization, linked to the reception of the royal court from Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Successive transformations, including the removal of the forecourt in 1878 by Wilhem Tilman Gromme, altered the initial configuration. However, the park's main axes, protected since 1963, remain a remarkable example of 17th century landscape development, combined with the classical architecture of François Mansart.

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