CASTLE OF FERRIERES

A luxurious residence that fits the fortune of Rothschild that is a witness of the Second Empire and fortune of the Rothschild family, the castle of Ferrières was built between 1855 and 1859 by the Baron blades of Rothschild.
Vast quadrilateral of 2 floors, flanked in the angles of square towers, this castle of Italian Renaissance style, like it was conceived in the middle of the XIXth century, was the theatre of fabulous receptions where all the "high society" of the Second Empire hurried. Even Napoleon III, came there to hunt..
The ground floor, devoted mainly to the parties of reception, and the floor where the rooms are, have a sight on the splendid perspectives on a landscaped garden. Very rare refinements at the time had been envisaged: central heating and running water in the principal rooms, kitchens installed in a particular building and connected to the offices by a small subway... The plans of this castle were entrusted to the English named Joseph Paxton, who is an architect of the famous Crystal Palace of London. The arrangement of certain rooms and all decoration are te work of the French named Eugene Lami.
After the second World war, in 1954, the Baron Guy de Rothschild and his wife endeavoured to give back to this monument all its splendour of yesteryear. In 1977, they bequeathed the field with a park of 132 ha to the chancellery of the University of Paris.

A garden with an English style, a real arboretum
the CASTLE OFFERS a marvellous garden with an English style, also designed by the architect named Paxton in 1855. Its lawns, ponds and statues are answered in an a scholarly mess. Perspectives of greenery spread as far as visible, punctuated of fabulous trees, redwoods, crimson beeches, blue cedars or fawn cypresses.
Rhododendrons and azaleas delight undergrowths and seem to spring a painter's imagination straight ahead...
The museum of the imaginary
the castle shelters also, on the second floor, a museum of contemporary art. A broad place is given there to the artists who approach the topic of the imaginary one. The presented original works are exposed here before their marketing.
The castle is open from the beginning of May to the end of September from Wednesday to Sunday from 14 to 19pm; and from the beginning of October to the end of April on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14 to 17.
Museum of the Imaginary is open all the year on saturdays and Sundays from 14 to 17.