The gardens of La Muette are located in the town of Largny-sur-Automne, in the department of Aisne, a few kilometers west of Villers-Cotterêt.
They form part of the exteriors of an 18th century manor remodeled in 1872. However, the primitive domain dating from the Middle Ages belonged to the Longuevals, who were captains of the hunts of François Ier and Henri IV. Much later, the property belonged to Jacques Conseil, parish priest of Largny and uncle of Alexandre Dumas.
Vast 3 hectares, the park and gardens border an old 16th century terrace. They are dotted with vestiges of medieval constructions with a defensive vocation, which have since been integrated into the coherent layout of the whole.
Access is via a wide avenue of chestnut trees in the extension of the entrance gate. On the right, a maze of young apple trees has taken over from the vegetable garden, and adjoins a 16th century tower. Another alley, this time with lime trees, runs along the large terrace which overlooks the Vallée de l'Automne. At the foot of the lime trees, at the end of the summer, a carpet of cyclamen blooms... Via a staircase, you reach a garden where Valois stone and boxwood balls coexist. Nearby, another garden is also made up of boxwood surrounding rosebushes.
Along the way, other small spaces adjoining old stones allow you to admire other rosebushes or even a courtyard where hydrangeas flourish. The whole gives off a romantic impression of an English garden where plants and stones are in harmony. What to enjoy a walk in the form of a soothing parenthesis...
The site is registered in the Inventory and labeled "Remarkable Garden".
Open from mid-May to mid-July and from mid-August to mid-September on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Visit possible from Sunday to Wednesday for groups by reservation. Open exceptionally also the first weekend of June for the "Rendez-vous aux Jardins" and in September during the Heritage Days. Information on +33 6 45 50 84 76.
