ADOPT A VIRGINIA TULIP TREE

By adopting one or several Virginia tulip trees, you will participate to the restoration of the plants in the Queen's Grove.

LET'S REstore THE QUEEN'S GROVE

Created in 1776 to replace the Maze Grove, this ornamental garden bordering the Orangery Parterre was made especially for Queen Marie-Antoinette. The design reflects the taste at the time for landscaped gardens, combining the precision of the French formal layout, which was so popular at the French Court, with the twists and turns of the walks inspired by the new English-style gardens.

The Queen’s Grove deteriorated considerably during the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and today it is a mere shadow of what it once was. Although it still retains most of its original layout, the walks with their imposing foliage have become commonplace paths and the botanical diversity has gone, giving way to uniform bushes. When the Grove is restored, it will once again have the rich variety of plant life that the Queen knew and the paths will be laid out as they were at that time. The central square will be replanted with Virginia tulips and the access paths will again be bordered with trees and flowering shrubs (eastern redbud, Virginia bird cherry, rowan, etc.). The arbours on the fringes of the grove will be decked with staghorn sumac, white fringe trees and laburnum, etc.

THE VIRGINIA TULIP TREE

This was Queen Marie-Antoinette’s favourite tree, which she also had planted in her gardens at Trianon. The Virginia tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is native to the southern and eastern regions of the USA. Introduced into France at the beginning of the 18^th century, this majestic tree can live for up to 500 years and usually grows to a height of 40 to 60 metres. It is distinct for its heavily perfumed tulip-shaped flowers and broad leaves, which turn red and gold in autumn.

Adopt a Virginia tulip tree

Contribute to the restoration of the Queen’s Grove :

• To pass on to future generations
• To celebrate a birth
• In honour of an important event
• In memory of a beloved person 

BECOME A PATRON

The adoption of a Virginia tulip tree costs 1,500 € (purchase of the tree, transport, planting and a two year’s maintenance).

By adopting a Virginia tulip tree, you will receive a personalised adoption certificate, in your own name or that of the person to whom you want to dedicate your donation. If you are a French taxpayers, you will be entitled to a tax relief based on the amount of your donation.

For American taxpayers, you will be entitled to a tax deduction according to Article 501(c) of the US Internal Revenue Code.

HOW CAN YOU TAKE PART

All you have to do is to send a letter to the Patronage Department of the Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles - RP 834 - 78008 Versailles Cedex - France) indicating your desire to support the revival of the Queen's Grove, accompanied by the adoption form found in the brochure below and a bank or postal cheque made out to the Agent comptable de l’Etablissement public du château de Versailles.

Please indicate your contact information, including a telephone number, and the name of the person to be calligraphed on the adoption certificate.