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A forgotten 17th-century masterpiece joins the collections of the Musée Condé
A precursor project showcasing Le Nôtre’s genius
Dating from around 1663, this remarkable plan shows André Le Nôtre’s very first design for the gardens of the Château de Chantilly, which was previously completely unknown.
In this drawing, André Le Nôtre proposes to the Grand Condé the creation of the famous grand axis, a large canal, and flowerbeds whose design differs significantly from what was ultimately realized. This document already illustrates the great gardener’s talent and his unparalleled sense of landscape composition.
From an ambitious project to an accomplished masterpiece
This plan can be compared with the Chantilly Plan, taken from the collection Terres de Bourgogne, Berry, etc. dated 1673 and attributed to Nicolas Lallemant. This watercolor, preserved at the Musée Condé, illustrates the final state of the park as implemented by Le Nôtre from 1662 onwards for the Grand Condé.
The manuscript containing this plan was restored in 2023 thanks to the support of the Friends of the Condé Museum.
A historical account revealed to the public
Recently donated to the Musée Condé by a generous benefactor, this map will be presented to the public for the very first time on Friday, May 16, at 2:30 p.m., in the cabinet des Livres of the Château de Chantilly. This event is included in the one-day ticket.
An event not to be missed, offering the chance to discover the origins of one of France’s most beautiful gardens.
