Free visit of the Medieval Garden (Industrial Heritage Site and Historic Site)
The Medieval garden is part of the parish complex of Donnemarie. Note here that this set is considered one of the best preserved of Ile de France. The church dates from the 13th century, the cloister gallery leading to the chapel was set up during the 15th century. On the former cemetery thus delimited, the medieval garden, restored by Christophe Grunenwald, has for theme «life and death». According to tradition, it represents the idealization of Paradise. The twelve rectangles define at the same time the twelve apostles and the twelve months of a year. No food plants grow in this cemetery. Some plants are toxic.
As in the thirteenth century the rectangles lined with pink sandstone must be productive. Medicinal plant crops are protected by wicker plessis fascines. The heights of the rounded corners as well as the variety of one- or three-strand braids come from ancient documents. The parterres bordered by carved boxwood, more decorative evoke with the central part the symbolic readings of the fifteenth century. The oak and chestnut balustrade, a replica of a miniature of the period, delimits the «enclosed garden» where angelica and lily grow. Plants used in the Middle Ages restore forgotten perfumes