The Hôtel de Matignon, residence of the Prime Minister, has an exceptional garden in several ways.
Its surface, of nearly 2 hectares, makes it the largest private garden in Paris. Its three-century history is a wonderful example of the evolution of garden taste from the 18th century to the present day. Some of its trees are remarkable, by their essence, size, age or history. Among them, the trees planted by the Prime Ministers since 1978 are a very original tradition rich in anecdotes.
As part of the Rendez-vous aux jardins, we invite you to stroll through its shaded alleys, exceptionally open to the public, to discover this unique heritage. And for this edition, all your senses will be awakened!
Through a system of Qr-codes, and in collaboration with the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, you will be able to hear the song of the forty-four birds recently inventoried in the garden.
In the company of the association CPN Val-de-Seine, we count on your sharp view to observe and recognize the animals hidden in our soils. Observation will also be necessary to understand the tricks implemented by gardeners to create the accelerated perspective of the garden in the eighteenth century.
To awaken your taste buds, the cooks of Matignon will make you taste different ice creams made from ingredients from natural elements present in the garden. It will also be a unique opportunity to taste honey from the hives of Matignon.
The national collection of osmanthes, for which the garden is labeled, will be honored thanks to a partnership with the Conservatory of Specialized Plant Collections and the Osmothèque - International Conservatory of Perfumes: from flower to perfumery, all aspects – particularly olfactory - of this little-known plant will be discussed!
Finally, do not hesitate to roll up your sleeves to discover the textures of the different wood species present in the garden or to help your children repot a small plant to bring home.
Many other surprises await you during this multi-sensory stroll, so come many!