Held each June, the Rose Days at the Domaine de Chaalis gather garden enthusiasts around the beloved theme of the rose. The event spans three days and unfolds in an exceptional setting in the Oise region, just a short distance from Paris. Less grandiose and high-profile than the Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard Plant Fair, the Rose Days have a special charm of their own and feature many interesting exhibitors (some of whom also show at Saint-Jean). It is the perfect moment to admire the roses in full bloom – an intoxicating display of beauty and fragrance. The choice is vast, and you find yourself blissfully immersed in this dreamy atmosphere.
There are also wonderful discoveries to be made beyond the spring season. This year, for instance, we found two striking cordylines at a Norman nursery – their flamboyant foliage will liven up one of our garden borders and add a subtle exotic touch.
But Chaalis isn’t just for garden lovers.
A setting steeped in history
History buffs will be equally enchanted, as the Domaine de Chaalis is home to a rich architectural heritage. It includes the ruins of a Cistercian abbey founded in 1137 by King Louis VI, the Sainte-Marie Chapel, and a château-turned-museum. The abbey was later transformed into a residence, eventually purchased by Nélie Jacquemart (you may know the Jacquemart-André Museum in Paris?), a renowned collector who converted it into a museum and bequeathed it to the Institut de France.
The Rose Days are also a great excuse to treat yourself – perhaps with a charming garden ornament or one of those elegant, flower-trimmed hats sold by Isabelle Godet. Her stand is always one of the prettiest and most poetic of the event, and her rustic floral creations are simply enchanting.
And it’s not all about roses
One of our favourite stalls, in fact, has nothing to do with roses at all – we prefer to buy those directly from André Eve or David Austin at the end of winter. This particular stand belongs to the Van Nuffelen brothers from Belgium, who offer a lovely selection of clematis varieties. Three colours stood out to us this year – a deep burgundy, a rich violet, and a pale blue called ‘Zara’. If you’d like to plant your own clematis, mix some garden soil with quality compost, add a touch of humus, and plant. Fertilise in March (which is also the time to prune them down to about 75 cm), and again in June.
After such a delightful day, take a moment to rest in the estate’s rose garden, which has been awarded the label Jardin Remarquable. It’s a serene and intimate haven, where you can admire roses of every shape and shade in a timeless setting.
Extend your walk beyond the abbey ruins to take in the surrounding landscape. And here’s a fun fact: one of the oaks from the Domaine de Chaalis is being used for the reconstruction of the roof framework of Notre-Dame de Paris.
If the sun is shining, why not treat yourself to a little escape – even just for a few hours – to the Domaine de Chaalis?
