Located about twenty kilometers from Versailles, in the department of Yvelines, Chambourcy is a town near Paris Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Located about twenty kilometers from Paris, it is surrounded by the forests of Marly and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
The one called Camborciacum in the 9th century, takes its name from an important person of Gallic origin. The town of Chambourcy develops particularly in the twelfth century, with the construction of the Abbey of Joyenval, but it is in the early 1930s, with the creation of the ALB plant, the origin of the little Swiss Petit Chambourcy, that the city takes all its fame.
Today very touristy, Chambourcy still reveals an architectural heritage of great importance, as well as a very pleasant natural setting. Near the most beautiful sites of the west of the Île-de-France, the city is the ideal place to spend a few days of holidays near Paris.
Classified as an historic monument, the Desert of Retz takes place on the site of Saint-Jacques-de-Retz, an abandoned village in ruins located on the edge of the forest of Marly. Created in the eighteenth century, it is an Anglo-Chinese garden, one of the few to survive in its original form. Established in a field of about forty hectares, it presents in particular seventeen factories and rare essences from all over the world. One can still discover a Gothic church in ruins, the only authentic of the field, built in the thirteenth century, the temple to the god Pan with its Tuscan columns, the theater discovered under a cradle of great elms, a ruined altar reminiscent of ancient Rome, the pyramid cooler, or the Tartar Tent. The latter, located on the Island of Happiness, was rebuilt in 1989 in painted sheet metal with wide turquoise and yellow stripes, and reveals a toile de Jouy stretched in its interior.
Built in the 18th century, the house of André Derain, one of the founders of Fauvism, is listed in the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments.
Do not miss to admire, on the site of the golf, the remains of the abbey of Joyenval of the 12th century, registered with the Historical Monuments.
While strolling in the city, you will also be able to admire the church Sainte-Clotilde, Romanesque building of XIIe century in which are the relics of saint Clotilde, wife of Clovis Ier.
The golf of Joyenval benefits from a unique and pleasant environment, near the forests.
The market is organized on Tuesday morning. The town offers two sellers a year, in spring and autumn. A Christmas market is also installed in December.
In February, Jazz in Winter and his intimate concerts.
The Arts Fair is held in March, offering an exhibition gathering the works of about twenty artists.
The communal festival takes place in the month of June, with fireworks, and various activities.
Every two years, the school festival is held in June, with games, a choir, a buffet and various surprises.
In September, the Orchard Festival is an opportunity to welcome new residents and showcase the fruit heritage of the city.
The golf cup of the town hall, sports competition, is held in October.
The Cultural Gourmandises take place in November with a photo contest and animations.
