École Nationale Supérieure du Paysage

Established in 1976, the École Nationale Supérieure du Paysage sits at the heart of French landscape architecture. It’s a cradle of design, a hub of research, and an internationally recognized center for creative minds. The École Nationale Supérieure du Paysage prepares professionals to tackle the unprecedented transitions facing our societies and territories. Through landscape projects, these professionals bring land, living organisms, resources, and the use of spaces to the forefront of collective action and debate. The school’s mission is to shape professionals capable of addressing the complex challenges of our time. They aim to place the environment at the core of discussions and initiatives. The École Nationale Supérieure du Paysage in Versailles isn’t just an institution. It’s a lineage. It carries the legacy of combined teachings of Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie and André Le Nôtre. La Quintinie was director of all the King’s vegetable and fruit gardens, while Le Nôtre, the King’s gardener, is considered a pioneering figure in landscape design. This rich history informs the school’s present and future. The École Nationale Supérieure du Paysage has two campuses. One is nestled in the historic Potager du Roi in Versailles, between the Saint-Louis Cathedral and the Pièce d’eau des Suisses. The other is located in Marseille. Interestingly, the Versailles campus occupies the same space where the National School of Horticulture once stood. The Marseille campus is part of the city’s future Mediterranean Institute. Originally, the École Nationale Supérieure du Paysage started as a specialization within horticultural engineering in 1976. It later evolved into a fully-fledged program. Graduates receive the DPLG (Diplômé par le Gouvernement) title, a state-recognized qualification equivalent to that of architects. After the National School of Horticulture moved to Angers in 1995, the decision was made to maintain a training center at the Potager du Roi site. This led to the establishment of the DPLG landscape architect program and an additional program in Marseille. Previously, the entrance exam was shared with the National School of Architecture and Landscape of Bordeaux. Now, each school conducts its own recruitment. Extensive renovations have been undertaken at the Potager du Roi to improve accessibility. The Marseille site is situated at the bottom of the Saint-Charles train station staircase, on Boulevard d’Athènes.