Vegetable garden of the Domaine de Chambray

At the heart of the seigneurial domain of Chambray, this 4 m² 440th century vegetable garden, protected from the winds by walls, is a place for growing several little-known and forgotten vegetable varieties from Normandy's plant heritage such as the Honfleur melon, the cabbage of Saint Saëns or brown lettuce from Perche, but also exotic varieties like Korean mint-licorice or Chinese asparagus lettuce...

Originally, this nourishing vegetable garden was an essential place on the estate since it made it possible to feed the population of the castle and the outbuildings as well as the employees of the land. The de Chambray family has always been involved in agricultural production. Several marquises are the authors of treatises on the subject.
In 2014, the CREE and the students of the agricultural school restored this space, which was then fallow. Animations are developed there for the general public.

During the visit, we exchange with a passionate host who makes us discover aromatic and medicinal plants, edible flowers, fruits and vegetables of yesterday and today by criss-crossing the flowery paths of this eternal garden.

A wifi and QR code system has been set up to offer three games to play independently:
*Activ'Memory,
Observe, touch, smell and guess the name of this plant. You have a doubt? Flash its QRcode and learn more information on its uses, how to cook it... Redo the course. Have you remembered the names of all the plants? 3 difficulty levels.
*Route of perfumes
Aromatic plants, barks, resins... Smell. Guess the fragrance of this plant. Is it more of a fruity, flowery, spicy, camphorated, minty note? Awaken your senses on this perfume route. By flashing the QR code, audio comments will help you qualify the smell. Available from 8 years old.
*Escape game
The garden door is locked. To get out you will have to find the key. Using a map, find your way around the vegetable garden and solve the puzzles provided by the QRcodes. 30 to 45 minutes of play. Several levels of difficulty. Family game accessible from 8 years old.
A facilitator is present on site to guide you and answer your questions.

Workshops and activities are offered for adults and children according to a schedule available on the CREE Chambray website.

Ranking & labels

• Listed or registered (Center des Monuments Nationaux)

• Average duration of the individual visit: 90 min
• Average duration of the group visit: 90 min
• Groups of 20 to 50 people welcome.

Equipments

• Free parking

Activities on site

• Specific thematic animation

Free visit with supports or activities (Escape game, Route des Parfums):
€4/adult. €3 / children aged 6 to 12. Free / under 6 years old.
Guided tour: €5,50/adult. 3€ / children aged 6 to 12. Free / under 6 years old.

• French bank and postal checks
• Cash
• Transfers