plant heritage

Living heritage to be preserved and passed on

Historic gardens occupy a unique place within our cultural heritage. Unlike built monuments, they constitute living heritage, shaped by human hands, enhancing nature through man-made systems specific to each era and style, natural cycles, climatic changes and the ongoing work of gardeners. Their conservation therefore requires a balance between fidelity to the history of the sites, landscape quality and adaptation to contemporary environmental challenges.

The Centre des monuments nationaux preserves and promotes more than 3,300 hectares of green spaces spread throughout France. Formal gardens, landscaped parks, orchards, kitchen gardens, medieval-inspired gardens and contemporary creations all bear witness to the diversity of garden forms that have accompanied the history of our monuments.

The conservation of these sites relies on an in-depth understanding of their history, their plant composition and their uses. Restoration projects are underpinned by documentary research, landscape studies and ecological assessments in order to preserve what constitutes the identity and ‘spirit of the place’.

Restoration in the service of heritage

At Talcy Castle, historical research has made it possible to reconstruct the composition of the 18th-century garden whilst incorporating plants that are more resilient to periods of drought. This approach has also led to the development of a differentiated management strategy that promotes biodiversity.

At George Sand’s house in Nohant, the restoration of the rose garden has made it possible to reintroduce varieties cultivated in the 19th century, thereby recreating the horticultural splendour for which the writer was renowned.

At the Saint-Cloud National Estate, the work undertaken on the Grande Cascade combines the restoration of the historic hydraulic heritage, the renewal of tree-lined avenues and improvements to water management.

Through these projects, the CMN is developing an approach that regards the garden as a heritage in its own right, inseparable from the architecture, landscapes and ecosystems that surround it.

The heritage and environmental quality of the gardens managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux is recognised through several labels and protection schemes. These distinctions highlight both the historical significance of the gardens, the management practices implemented and their contribution to the preservation of biodiversity.

• ‘Jardin remarquable’ ( Remarkable Garden), awarded by the Ministry of Culture, is a designation that recognises gardens of exceptional cultural, historical, aesthetic or botanical interest. The CMN has nine gardens with this designation, including the national estates of Saint-Cloud and Rambouillet, the châteaux of Talcy, Bouges and Champs-sur-Marne, and the garden at George Sand’s house in Nohant.
• EcoJardin promotes eco-friendly management practices for green spaces. Its principles are in line with the approaches implemented in the CMN’s gardens: differentiated management, the phasing out of plant protection products, soil conservation, water consumption control, the development of eco-grazing and adaptations to flowering patterns, support for biodiversity, etc. Through its garden plan and its ecological transition policy, the CMN is gradually developing practices that meet the requirements of sustainable management of historic gardens.
• Natura 2000 and environmental protection: manyof the monuments in the CMN network are situated in areas benefiting from environmental protection recognised at European level. Fifteen sites are part of the Natura 2000 network, which aims to preserve natural habitats and the most remarkable species whilst reconciling human activities with the conservation of biodiversity. This is particularly the case for the fortress of Salses, recognised as a habitat for bats;Thoronet Abbey, for the conservation of Hermann’s tortoise; the Château d’If for its seabirds and coastal habitats, and the Château de Talcy for the ecological richness of its surroundings.

These conservation measures demonstrate the major role played by monuments and their surrounding landscapes in the conservation of natural heritage, alongside cultural heritage.

Understanding better to protect better

The parks, gardens and natural areas managed by the Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN) are precious sanctuaries for biodiversity. Spread across the whole of France, they are home to a wide variety of habitats and species, some of which are rare or protected.

The conservation of this wealth relies above all on scientific knowledge. Naturalist surveys, ecological monitoring, pre-construction studies and partnerships with specialist organisations enable the CMN to better understand the ecosystems present on its sites and to adapt its management practices.

Sanctuaries for flora and fauna

At the Château d’Angers, appropriate management practices have encouraged the return of rare wild orchids, whilst nesting boxes provide homes for swifts, titmice and kestrels.

At George Sand’s house in Nohant, the presence of the crested newt, a protected species, is testament to the ecological quality of the estate.

The Château d’If is home to nearly 400 plant species and around a hundred bird species. During the restoration of the ramparts, a specific programme ensured the protection of the European phyllodactyl, a rare Mediterranean gecko.

At the Carnac Alignments, more than 420 animal and plant species have been recorded in the heathland maintained through eco-grazing by sheep of the Landes de Bretagne breed.

Action rooted in the local areas

Many of the CMN’s monuments are situated in areas benefiting from environmental protection schemes such as Natura 2000, regional nature parks or areas of ecological interest. These schemes reinforce the measures taken to protect natural habitats and protected species.

The CMN is also developing partnerships with associations and scientific organisations to improve understanding of our natural heritage and raise public awareness of biodiversity issues. Bird monitoring programmes, biodiversity refuges and educational projects carried out at various monuments illustrate this approach to research and knowledge sharing.

In the face of the challenges posed by climate change, the study and preservation of biodiversity now form a key focus of the Centre des monuments nationaux’ conservation policy. By protecting the ecosystems associated with historic monuments and the gardens that form part of them, the organisation helps to preserve a living heritage that is essential to understanding and passing on these historic sites.