The vegetable gardens of the Centre des Monuments Nationaux

The Centre des Monuments Nationaux (CMN) does not limit itself to the conservation of historic buildings: it also promotes a vast botanical heritage, comprising parks, gardens and vegetable gardens. With over 80 gardens spread across thousands of hectares, these spaces constitute a ‘living heritage’ that bears witness to the horticultural expertise passed down through the centuries.

Amongst these spaces, historic kitchen gardens hold a special place. They are not merely decorative: today, they are reclaiming their role as sources of food and educational spaces. The CMN is seeking to revive the productive aspect of certain gardens, whilst respecting their historical identity.

These kitchen gardens are also places for ecological experimentation (permaculture, sustainable agriculture), the preservation of heritage varieties and raising public awareness. They contribute to biodiversity and provide a better understanding of traditional farming practices, whilst addressing contemporary climate-related challenges.

To maintain and bring these gardens to life, the CMN often relies on local organisations. These partnerships make it possible to mobilise volunteers, develop educational projects and strengthen the links between heritage and society. They also promote the passing on of skills and the involvement of citizens in heritage conservation.

Several monuments provide concrete examples of this dynamic:

• Château d’Assier: its garden blends historical heritage with a contemporary reinterpretation, highlighting the traditional uses of the kitchen garden.
• Château de Champs-sur-Marne: community initiatives, such as ‘Les Vertueux’, help to manage and run the kitchen garden.
• Château de la Motte-Tilly: its remarkable garden includes a kitchen garden that forms part of a coherent approach to heritage and landscaping.
• Château d’Angers: in partnership with the ‘Vigne en ville’ association, the site cultivates crops (notably vines) at the heart of the monument, linking heritage and urban agriculture.