The orchestra of Chantilly hens

Named after Princes de Condé, owners of château de Chantilly since the 17 th century, Le Potager des Princes was created by Yves and Annabel Bienaimé fifteen years ago for their grand children. It has become over the years a children’s kingdom and a parent’s delight, a vegetable and flower garden.

The shutters open and the hens play an instrument with their beak

Set in the center of town, not far from the famous Chantilly race course (the equivalent to Ascot for the French), it started out as a beautiful garden with roses, Japanese maples and a superb theatre made of wood and overlooking a pond. Yves Bienaimé, a gentleman rider, saved the Royal stables of Chantilly in the 1980’s. When this plot of land came up for sale fifteen years ago, he decided to create a paradise for kids in what used to be the vegetable garden of the Condés cousins fo the French kings.

The race track for hens

precious birds compte with goats and mini ponies

It now has been enriched with a collection of mini animals, a race track for hens and a village of rabbits. It feels like being Alice in Wonderland in an enchanted park of 6 acres and its charm resides in the refinement that the Bienaimé family has put into every detail.

All the signs are written in a child’s hand writing for school and the little rabbit houses are like delightful doll houses.

The mini shetland ponies, birds, peacocks, goats, ducks and hens are all incredibly fun to watch.

A new cascade with an Italian garden, an orchard and the lapinodrome (rabbit race track) make for a very pretty walk. It is a perfect visit for very small children and adults alike ! (17 rue de la Faisanderie, Chantilly)

A cascade in the Italian style garden

Le Potager des Princes is accessible by train from Gare du Nord to Chantilly in 20 mins or by car in one hour. It is open every day from ten to twelve and two to five.

Yves Bienaimé hunting in Mortefontaine