Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Temple of Love, originally named Temple de Mars, was built in 1773 by the architect Louis Carrogis, dit Carmontelle, for the Parc Monceau in Paris. This park, called "Folie de Chartres", belonged to Philippe d'Orléans, cousin of King Louis XVI. Designed as an English garden, it housed several factories, including this temple, designed by architect Bernard Poyet. After the Revolution, the park was abandoned and transformed into a public garden under the Second Empire.

In 1821 Louis-Philippe, son of Philippe Egalité, had the temple transferred to the island of La Jatte at Neuilly-sur-Seine, where he created a "enchanted garden" extending his castle. Renamed Temple of Love, he was crowned with a dome and decorated with a statue representing a companion of Achilles. The monument was moved a second time in 1930 to be installed on a masonry base, now housing a stucco nymph.

The Temple of Love was classified as historical monuments on 13 June 1913. It bears witness to the 18th century's enthusiasm for picturesque gardens and factories, while illustrating the landscape transformations of Jatte Island. Today, there remains an emblematic vestige of this architectural and historical heritage.

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