Désert de Retz II 

The brainchild of wealthy heir François Racine de Monville, a lover of music, social life and botany, the Désert de Retz began in 1774 as a 39-hectare property in Chambourcy. There aren’t any dunes in this “desert,” only follies – lost or renovated structures representing various eras of civilization and colonial exploration. 

This architectural utopia features botanical species imported from across the world and a list of guests that includes Marie-Antoinette, Thomas Jefferson, and the Surrealists. Bourrassé and Ayache add a page to the landmark’s rich history by drawing inspiration from the conspiracy theories about Désert de Retz and the political upheaval that led to the fall of the monarchy.