VISIT OF THE NATIONAL SHEEPFOLD OF RAMBOUILLET
THE CONSERVATORY OF THE BREED OF MERINO SHEEP
Stock up of discoveries
We organize your transport by coach, train or plane
89€ / person
Indicated prices are with tax included.
Prices are all inclusive for little and big groups.
No stone will be left unturned, every detail will be completely explained, they know their subject like the back of their hand.
French
Our guides perfectly speak the languages indicated
Highlights
- Horse-drawn carriage ride in the national domain
- Cradle of Merino Sheep
- The Vaux de Cernay abbey
Guided tour of the national sheepfold of Rambouillet
The sheepfold Nationale de Rambouillet (Yvelines) in Île-de-France, located 50 km southwest of Paris, is an exceptional estate with more than two centuries of existence. During the visit to this farm, you will learn how it works and live a unique experience.
This site is full of historical treasures, charms and incredible resources. If you want to enjoy an outdoor walk, an entertaining, enriching and educational adventure, take a guided tour of the sheepfold without further ado!
Whether you come with your association, families, school groups or works councils, your professional guide will accompany you to help you discover the buildings, trades, fauna, flora and the wonderful gardens of the park, classified as remarkable gardens.
Each year, the sheepfold Nationale de Rambouillet welcomes around 100,000 visitors! You too should not miss the opportunity to explore this educational farm in a fun way, which is the pride of the Rambolitan population!
Louis XVI: a true visionary of agroecology!
King Louis XVI acquired, in 1783, the domain of Rambouillet containing a castle, a farm and stables. The creation of the sheepfold mainly aims at experimentation, sustainable development, improvement of French breeding, and farm innovation.
At his request, in 1786, a flock of Merino sheep, raised mainly for the fineness of their wool, was imported from Spain. Louis XVI surrounded himself with healers and Louis Jean Marie Daubeton, a French naturalist and doctor, so that the Merinos, rigorously selected, would be well-fed, pampered and become profitable.
It is thanks to this unique breed of sheep that the Royal Farm is renowned the world over. This species of sheep, with a very abundant fleece, which constitutes a national genetic heritage, is particularly preserved by the sheepfold. Going to meet them is a privilege reserved for you!
Apart from this exclusivity, this area allows the visit of remarkable buildings: The Dairy of Queen Marie-Antoinette (1785-1787) that Louis XVI had built especially for her and the Chaumière aux coquillages (1779), created by the Duke of Penthièvre, decorated inside with shells and mother-of-pearl.
The Colombier, an emblematic building, about twenty meters high, housed thousands of pigeons at the time. Its architecture has been perfectly preserved and the title of historic monument was awarded to it in 1944. It is considered the most imposing in Île-de-France.
Today, the professional team and technical staff of the sheepfold Nationale de Rambouillet, real enthusiasts, carry on the first mission of this farm. These men and women share their knowledge with you and carry out awareness campaigns among the general public.
Whether for children or adults, the choice of activities is not lacking: creative workshops, entertainment, carriage rides, etc. All visitors also have the pleasure of approaching farm animals: draft horses, cows, donkeys, rabbits, poultry …
As you can see, the guided tour of this real life-size company and of this extraordinary natural regional heritage allows you to enjoy an incomparable circuit, and to familiarize yourself with rural life.
Official site
Roadmap
Accompanied by your guide, you will discover the farm activities in small groups, you will meet the animals and the farm technicians.
Secondly, you will be offered a guided carriage ride in the national domain. You will be able to meet the large animals of the forest (optional activity but recommended).
Lunch in the surrounding area will be offered, in the town center of Rambouillet or by the lake or in the forest.
After lunch, various visit programmes will be offered: the visit of the Château de Rambouillet, the shell cottage, the Queen’s dairy, the Vaux de Cernay abbey, the Port Royal abbey, the private visit of the castle from Mauvières.