LA FERME DU MANET

The Ferme farm was originally a possession depending on the center of the Templar Templar. From the creation of the Port-royal des Champs abbey, the history of Manet's estate can be traced more precisely. The sector depended, in the th century, on the stronghold of Guy de Chevreuse (who gave his name to Guyancourt) and who made the new abbey donation of several parcels of arable land or not: between 1237 and 1262, 146 acres (about 65 ha) were gathered between Barns and the municipality of Montigny-le-Bretonneux to form the basis of what became Manet's estate. The domain grew and embellir until the Revolution, where the 168 ha are redeemed to the ladies of Port-Royal by the last abbey farmer: Achille Raymond Yellow. At the end of the th century, the courtyard was bordered in a discontinuous manner by buildings which house the farmer's house, two stables, one vacherie, the dairy, one bergerie, two barns, one press and one monumental colombier. In the aftermath of the Revolution, the estate is acquired by Henri Marin Notta who, along with his son Vincent, will exploit it until 1860, when Ernest Gilbert will resume it. The transition from traditional farming to industrial activity is particularly interesting to follow in the evolution of Manet, because there is hardly any farm in Paris where the documentation on this subject is so precise and abundant. The transition was made by the Notta family. The farm in 1860 represents 300 ha, which at this time is considerable (Montigny occupies 667 ha). Aware of the historical, emotional and cultural value represented by this farm, the municipality of Montigny-le-Bretonneux decided to acquire it. From here, it is a whole rehabilitation and management program that was studied and then implemented. The farm is now a 900-seat concert hall, which hosts the great names of song, music, laughter, and more dramatic entertainment. It also functions as a seminar and communication centre.