Arboretum of Versailles-Chèvreloup

[kerouac2]

The Arboretum of Versailles-Chèvreloup is (I  think) the old arboretum in France, as it is next to the gardens of Versailles on land acquired by King Louis XIV as a private hunting ground.  In 1922 it was transferred to the Museum of National History to use as a botanical garden, but not a whole lot was done.  In 1960 it became a scientific arboretum with the various species of trees arranged into geographical zones.  They didn't begin opening it to the public until 1977, just 50 hectares for a start.  It was only in 2018 that the entire domain was opened -- about 200 hectares total.  There is also a zone of hothouses containing 5000 different species of rare and endangered plants, but this is not open to the public except durng scheduled guided tours.

Anyway, the place is hardly overrun, because it is rather complicated to get there if you are a motorless peasant like me, and also the people who live in the area see no reason to pay a fee when the gardens (830 hectares) and forest (1057 hectares) of Versailles are right next door free of charge.  I was still determined to go, so I took the metro to Gare Saint Lazare and then the train to Versailles and then a bus to Rocquencourt, and then there were still 500 metres to walk to the entrance.  To top if off, there is a very complicated knot of expressway lanes which must be solved like a puzzle to get to the other side.

But here I was at last.

[kerouac2]

I had a brochure with a map, but it was immediately obvious that there would be no way to see everything.



I struck out along the central lane with no strategy in mind.







Most of the major trees had botanical identification signs, but that was not really any concern of mine.





I always prefer just the little details anyway.

[kerouac2]

The grass had been cut recently in quite a few of the big prairies. This made it easier to get off the path and see some things up close.









The way that some of the plants were arranged gave the impression of being on a different planet.





Social distancing rules can seem quite excessive when you are in a huge place all by yourself.





Where to go? Where to go?

[lugg]

Great start K2 - it appears huge and empty. I am not sure from the pic - it may be the angle but is that a funnel spiders web maybe? I have seen a few photos of the UK funnel spider recently in a photo group I am in

Looking forward to see where you head to next

[kerouac2]

I'm not sure what type of spider, but it was a labour of love... and hunger.

I headed in the direction of the little lake.







Even though it is called "Heron Lake" the herons were on holiday elsewhere.









It was a bit strange to be hiking all alone in such a huge place. However, I did see a rabbit running down this road. Is the pavement more comfortable for running than grass?



I left the pavement for a grassier walkway.





But then I headed for the "circle of giants" in the "American" zone.







I pushed in a bit through the branches to see what it looks like "inside."

[kerouac2]

onward through more deserted plains





I was happy to reach a more shaded area.









more choices to make





I knew that these signs would come in handy later on because I had no idea where I was, and I had clearly come farther than I thought.







All sorts of little creatures could be heard scurrying through the grass.

[bjd]

I assume that taking 35 minutes to walk 2 km means that you stop to look at every tree. Still, it looks like a nice place for a walk. Perhaps in autumn when leaves start to change colour?

[kerouac2]

The brochure says to come during every season, of course -- cherry blossoms in the spring, maple leaves in the autumn...

I had to turn back and find another path here.

I

[mossie]

I was impressed by Montezuma's bald cypress, the trunk growing perfectly square. The whole place gives the impression of a wilderness where one may meet a wild animal any moment.

[htmb]

I enjoy places like this, especially when needing a break from the city. Too bad getting there is so complicated. When I see these nice paths it makes me think being there with a bike, if allowed, would be super helpful.

[kerouac2]

Bikes are allowed on the paved paths and the dirt paths but not on the grassy paths.

[kerouac2]

I love thistles. They are such "stay-away-from-me!" plants but then they have those lovely flowers. It is also the symbol of Lorraine, a warning to the invaders from the east. (Didn't work, unfortunately.)

[kerouac2]

[bixaorellana]

Beautiful place & so many nice pictures. Honestly, when thinking about arboretums before I'd ever been to one, I wouldn't have thought they'd be so lovely to visit. (I was probably picturing something like a Christmas tree farm.) This one looks particularly pleasant, as so many places are left semi-wild and forest-y. The sky appears to have been competing with the ground for a beauty prize.

[kerouac2]

It's starting to look like harvest time if there were anything to harvest.





Hey, what's this?



They kind of look like apples, but no...

[kerouac2]

mistletoe











It's so nice to be in such a place without a bunch of people.

[lugg]

I love the wild un-tamedness of this place and there are some really magnificent trees. Although as ever I cannot help but tut when I see ragwort, even though I accept it has a place.

Jul 27, 2020 18:56:50 GMT kerouac2 said:

They kind of look like apples, but no...

Jul 27, 2020 18:56:50 GMT kerouac2 said:

They kind of look like apples, but no...

If not apples - what are they ?

Love the photos of the red/black shield/stink bugs but also the moody skies in some of the photos. Did you get a drenching or did the rain hold off?

[kerouac2]

It never rained but frankly I would like to go there in the rain.

[bixaorellana]

Jul 27, 2020 19:26:53 GMT lugg said:

If not apples - what are they ?

www.frankpmatthews.com/catalogue/quince/11482

[lugg]

Ahh I see that now ...thank you Bixa

Jul 27, 2020 19:28:51 GMT kerouac2 said:

It never rained but frankly I would like to go there in the rain.

- Me too.

[kerouac2]

I'm assuming that these are chestnuts.



They look like they might be related to the AIDS virus, though, if one can believe the medical imagery over the years.







Trees generally stand tall and proud, but this one was ashamed of something.



a weeping cedar?







It's starting to be rush hour. Time for me to leave!



One last look at the welcome pavillion and I was gone. But I'll be back in a different season. I saw so little!

[htmb]

I hope you’ll go back in the autumn for some lovely fall color. This looks like a huge space. It’s probably difficult to see everything in one day.

[kerouac2]

One little detail that I liked about this place was the lack of "security." As you can see, the ticket office on the right is not really blocking access at all. Absolutely anybody could probably get in without paying, particularly on a bicycle. Honour systems are becoming far too rare in this day and age.

[tod2]

What a wonderful place and space that goes on and on…. I can never imagine it crowded. I would have to take some kind of map or never find the exit again!

[lugg]

I will be back said K2 - yes please ! No 4 of post 20 just really emphasises the vastness of this wonderful arboretum.

Jul 28, 2020 5:15:21 GMT kerouac2 said:

I'm assuming that these are chestnuts

well they are horse chestnuts (but not the sweet kind) ... aka Conkers beloved by a child in days gone past. I am not sure conkers receive the same appreciation today ?

[mickthecactus]

I was at a garden of a fellow cactus enthusiast and he had a rare Vietnam horse chestnut but the conkers are the size of tennis balls!

[lugg]

Jul 28, 2020 19:12:32 GMT mickthecactus said:

the conkers are the size of tennis balls!

That would most likely be a winner of any contest then . It made me remember of how I used to know my conkers by the number of wins - I think the highest I had was a 39'er or thereabouts.

[bixaorellana]

Finally going through the second half of this lovely report which I predict will stir viewers everywhere to seek out arboretums in their areas.

[nycgirl]

I've been away too long, missed a lot of great stuff. This looks like such a peaceful place to take a hike or bike ride. I love the close-ups of the bugs and flowers, as well the strikingly beautiful clouds.