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Park · Maisons-Laffitte, Île-de-France
Parc de Maisons-Laffitte
Former large park of the château, parceled out by Jacques Laffitte in the 19th century and transformed into a garden suburb of wide avenues, tree-lined squares and houses from several periods, with a tradition linked to racehorse training.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Parc de Maisons-Laffitte
The park of Maisons-Laffitte originated from the old castle estate. After buying the property in 1818, the banker Jacques Laffitte parceled out the large park in the 1830s and sold it as building lots. The subdivision rules, which preserved the broad vistas, the squares and much of the trees, explain the neighborhood’s appearance: houses surrounded by gardens along wide avenues.
The main axes of the former park, such as Avenue Eglé, Avenue Albine and Place Marine, are protected as a historic monument. Along them appear pavilions from the former estate, gates and houses built from the 19th century to the 1930s, in very varied styles.
The town presents itself as a horse town. Since the 19th century training stables for racehorses have been established there, and some park avenues have sand tracks reserved for the animals. It is not uncommon to meet horses heading to training in the early hours of the day.
The park is a residential neighborhood: the houses are private and visible from the street. The avenues and squares are open to pedestrians, and the tourist office organizes guided visits.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours of walking along the main avenues.
Best time
Early in the morning, when the horses go out for training, or in the late afternoon. In spring and autumn, from April to June and from September to October, the trees make the avenues especially beautiful.
How to get there
Avenue Eglé, one of the main axes, begins near the castle and Maisons-Laffitte station; from the town center you can enter the park on foot in a few minutes.
Tip
Respect the sand tracks, which are reserved for the horses, and the animals’ passage times. To understand the history of the houses and the stables, a guided visit from the tourist office is worthwhile.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Parc de Maisons-Laffitte
Is the park of Maisons-Laffitte a public park?
It is a residential neighborhood formed on the former castle park. The avenues and squares are open to pedestrians, but the houses and gardens are private.
Why are there horses in the park of Maisons-Laffitte?
Since the 19th century the town has housed training stables for racehorses. Some avenues have sand tracks reserved for the animals, used during training.
Who created the park of Maisons-Laffitte as it is today?
The banker Jacques Laffitte, who bought the castle estate in 1818 and parceled out the large park in the 1830s, preserving the avenues and the squares.