St Rémy Lès Chevreuse offers several distinct themes for an exploratory trip: the Château de Coubertin and its art collection, an artists’ home, and a protected valley along the Yvette. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can choose whether architecture and art, artists’ biographies or nature will shape your stay.
Landscape and protected area
The “Val et coteau de Saint-Rémy” Regional Nature Reserve covers about 80 hectares in the Yvette Valley, in the southeastern part of the municipality. This gives the nature theme a specific focus in the form of a designated protected area. The approximate area and its location in the valley give this landscape theme a clear framework.
Art and artists’ homes
The present-day building of the Château de Coubertin dates from the late 17th century. A triple avenue of centuries-old lime trees leads to its entrance. The Fondation de Coubertin is based at the château, where it preserves collections of sculptures and drawings by sculptors, including a significant collection of works by Joseph Bernard. Every year in autumn, the Fondation holds a sculpture exhibition in its gallery and in the Jardin des Bronzes. If you plan to attend this exhibition, check the dates for the relevant year.
The Maison-Musée Raymond Devos is located in the house where the artist lived until his death on 15 June 2006; the museum opened there in 2016. Visitors can explore almost the entire house, including personal belongings, instruments and archives. Lively scenography and interactive installations present Devos’s work across humour, poetry, music and wordplay. The site thus combines the history of the house with an interpretation that explores several facets of the artist.
The Fondation Marta Pan & André Wogenscky also offers a distinctive focus on art in its setting. Its grounds include a park with about twenty sculptures by Marta Pan. From April to October, the Fondation and the Centre des Monuments Nationaux organise tours of the Maison-Atelier and sculpture park: once a month on a Saturday, with two tours each time. Dates may change; check the Fondation’s latest information before planning your visit.
Local history along the Yvette
The Église Saint-Rémi dates from the 11th century and is located near the Yvette. It was closed to the public pending essential repair work. Check current access arrangements before visiting. Another facet of local history can be seen at the Moulin des Clayes on the Yvette: in the 19th century it was a tannery mill and was converted into a wool-shredding factory around 1892. This change of use gives industrial history a tangible connection to the site.
Seasonal activities and planning
The mini-golf course at Lac Beauséjour is open from May to September on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Plan your visit around this season and the days listed, and check opening details in advance. This makes it easier to fit the activity into your stay rather than assume it is available every day.
Around the station, visitors can discover the Ferme de Coubertin and the Forêt Départementale de Méridon. If you would like to include these destinations, check the latest route brochure before your trip. The Baladobus departs from St Rémy Lès Chevreuse station and serves places of interest in the Vallée de Chevreuse; check the current service and timetable before planning your journey.
The Ferme de Saint-Rémy, also known as the Ferme de Coubertin, sells cheese, dairy products, eggs and poultry directly from the farm. As sales arrangements may change, ask about the current selection in advance. Alongside architecture, exhibitions and local history, regional produce can also help shape the themes of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Sailly, Bouafle, Villiers-Le-Mahieu, Mantes-La-Jolie, Orgerus, Vélizy-Villacoublay, Poigny-La-Forêt, Croissy-Sur-Seine
For the wider travel overview: Yvelines.
