Blérancourt

Castle of the XVII century, National museum of the Franco-American Co-operation.
Built at the XVII century by Solomon de Brosse, architect of Marie de Médicis for the Very powerful duke of Gesvres, par of France, Secretary of State of Henri IV and his wife Charlotte of Old man-Bridge, Blérancourt was one of the most important high private castles in France at that time. Inspired of Italian and French examples, it is perfectly characteristic of the French architecture of half of the XVII century. The museum, unique in France, was created by American the Anne Morgan and Anne Murray Dike. Become national museum in 1931, it gathers historical and artistic collections on the relations between France and the United States, since the war of independence (1776-1783) until the American humanitarian aid in France of 1914 to 1945. One discovers many memories and rare documents there on the American participation in the two world wars. Lives again thus, example, all the action of Américan Fiel Service (AFS) or Lafayette Flotilla. A remarkable collection of works of art of the XVIIIe century illustrating is added to it the richness of the artistic exchanges between the two countries.
* The Gardens of the new world
Gardens of the castle of Blérancourt, another facet of the Franco-American history, that of the horticultural exchanges illustrate. They make discover the often forgotten origins of more or less rare species. A flowered park, arboretum and three gardens, created by American and French landscape designers, are unique in France. Located at the site of the old kitchen gardens, these gardens flower of spring to the autumn. All plants: tobaccos, nasturtiums, dahlias, stars, etc are of American origin.