Bathing in light in the Désert de Retz

On the edge of Marly Forest lies an astonishing park with fabriques: the Désert de Retz. Located on the edge of Marly Forest, away from the noise of the city and the gaze of walkers, this 18thᵉ century landscaped park is not just a garden, but an ode to the wonder and light of bygone eras. Created by François Nicolas Henri Racine de Monville, it reflects both the Age of Enlightenment and an art of living in which nature blends with the imaginary. On this tour, you’ll appreciate the beauty of these unspoilt surroundings, where remarkable trees and factories vie with each other in grandeur to plunge you back into the heart of the 18th century, the age of Enlightenment. The Désert de Retz is the promise of an inspiring and energising experience.

A case of light the perfect place to get away from it all

The Désert de Retz is not a desert in the strict sense. It is an Anglo-Chinese garden, in the image of the dreams of escape of the XVIIIᵉ century. This place is a hymn to light – the light that shines through the foliage of the hundred-year-old trees, is reflected in the pools, and plays on the poetic ruins scattered around the park.

The architecture here is not just functional: it is staged. Each element of the park, whether the Destroyed Column, the Pyramidal Ice House or the Temple to Pan, seems to capture and reflect a mysterious light, as if frozen in time. These constructions, nicknamed “fabriques”, were intended to stimulate visitors’ imaginations, while offering them striking plays of light and shadow.

Visit the Désert de Retz

A journey in the Age of Enlightenment

This park is a real plunge into the Age of Enlightenment, a time when people sought to reconcile nature and reason. The layout of the fabriques, the layout of the spaces and even the winding paths in the garden tell a story: the story of light that guides, enlightens and inspires. Every walk becomes a discovery. When the sun filters through the trees or caresses the walls of the fabriques, you can’t help but be transported by the beauty of the moment. It’s a living, almost magical light that transforms a simple stroll into a sensory journey.

An invitation for relaxation and reflection

To visit the Désert de Retz is to enter into a dialogue with nature, with art and with yourself. You can walk here to dream, to be inspired, or simply to enjoy the calm and soothing light that bathe the park. And for photography enthusiasts, this place is an inexhaustible treasure trove. Every angle offers a new perspective, every ray of sunlight redraws the contours of the fabriques, and every season transforms the park into a living canvas.

The beautiful idea

The best time to catch the light at the Désert de Retz is undoubtedly autumn, when the gentle October sun adorns the contours of this astonishing place with gold and fire.

Emilie

To find out more

Our next meetings in the Désert de Retz

25Oct

Visite guidée du Désert de Retz