Fouille archeologique préventive, Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives

Events / Last discoveries

Saint-Germain-en-Laye Park (Yvelines) - Research on the upper terrace and the "Boulingrin"

On line since September 19, 2009 · Updated September 19, 2009
Since 1663, the great wall of this famous terrace dominating the River Seine has retained a long bridle path leading from the Château-Neuf to the Château du Val. Contemporary with this, a second terrace was built between the Château-Neuf and the great Circle. This upper terrace formed the eastern extremity of a very large massif of the park known as the "Boulingrin" (the name derives directly from the English "bowling green"). Clearly shown on the many old plans of the domain, the Boulingrin included a complicated parterre of massifs of grass and box hedges, with round elements, sometimes represented as ornamental pools, sometimes as massifs. Following usual practice, the "boulingrin" would have been slightly lower than the alleys surrounding it.

Difficult to maintain, the Boulingrin disappeared during the 18th century, to be finally replaced by a thick copse of chestnut trees known as the "Quinconce".

During the 19th century the wall of the upper terrace was levelled and disappeared beneath the grassy slope of earth.

Archaeological Research

In 2000, the first evaluation carried out by Anne Vatan had shown the excellent state of conservation of the wall under the lawn. From then on, the north-east corner of the Great Circle was uncovered. The wall has now been completely excavated under archaeological supervision. In the southern part, two test pits were dug were dug to verify the position of a ramp leading to the Château-Vieux. Lastly, on the site of the "Boulingrin" a long trench was opened  to identify the evolution of stratified earth layers and to attempt to relate them to corresponding states of the park.

First results

The observation of the long upper terrace wall reveals work of very high quality, built in different phases. The ramp, on the south side of the wall, was found, but no trace subsists, since it was destroyed at the beginning of the 19th century. The identification of the level of the "Boulingrin" is uncertain, even though the former forest level is clearly visible. Certainly, a large sandy and dusty level can be defined as such, but the grassy sloping bank, suggested by the plans and the treatises on gardening, has not been found. This disappearance can be explained by an upheaval caused by recent major tree planting of rows of trees.
The level of the Boulingrin could possibly have been at the present level of the soil, and its traces destroyed by the planting and the uprooting of the chestnut trees of the Quinconce. But this would have implied that the peripheral alleys were higher than they are now, which is impossible.

Archaeology and restoration of parks and gardens

This site demonstrates that much can be learned from the archaeological study of parks and gardens. The nature of the circular elements, massifs or ornamental pools, indicated on the old plans of the Boulingrin is rather delicate and opens an important debate. Do the plans represent reality or projects? Can illustrations and texts be taken at face value or should they taken together with the results of field archaeology.  Archaeological analysis is clearly complementary to the work of architects preparing the restoration of complex parks and gardens.

Site director

Marc Viré, Inrap

Topography and GIS

Philippe Lenhardt, architect, Inrap

Soil specialist

Christian David, Inrap

See images

  • This 18th century kerb-post was completely hidden by the lawn.
    This 18th century kerb-post was completely hidden by the lawn.
    © Marc Viré, Inrap
  • The recently discovered upper terrace (to the right at the foot of the trees) completes the 17th century plan of the great terrace.
    The recently discovered upper terrace (to the right at the foot of the trees) completes the 17th century plan of the great terrace.
    © Marc Viré, Inrap
  • The right-angled corner of the upper terrace behind the Great Circle, hidden since 1876.
    The right-angled corner of the upper terrace behind the Great Circle, hidden since 1876.
    © Marc Viré, Inrap
  • Corner pillar freed in 1999. The level of the lawn can be seen on the staircase wall.
    Corner pillar freed in 1999. The level of the lawn can be seen on the staircase wall.
    © Marc Viré, Inrap
  • Corner pillar freed in 1999. In the distance a red brick building, part of the Château Neuf, can be seen.
    Corner pillar freed in 1999. In the distance a red brick building, part of the Château Neuf, can be seen.
    © Marc Viré, Inrap
  • The part of the wall kept in the grounds of the Hôtel Henri IV still has its rounded salient cornice, missing on the wall of the upper terrace.
    The part of the wall kept in the grounds of the Hôtel Henri IV still has its rounded salient cornice, missing on the wall of the upper terrace.
    © Marc Viré, Inrap
  • 1872 Plan showing the state of the Boulingrin , transformed into the copse of chestnut trees of the Quinconce, which survived until the 1999 storm.
    1872 Plan showing the state of the “Boulingrin“, transformed into the copse of chestnut trees of the Quinconce, which survived until the 1999 storm.
    D.R.