A bronze figure catches the sunlight. It’s Jean-Baptiste Bergeret de Frouville, frozen in time. Here at the Domaine de Sceaux, his presence is more than just a statue. It’s a reminder of a legacy. Jean-Baptiste Bergeret de Frouville, the mayor of Sceaux from 1919 to 1925, saved this magnificent park.
The Domaine de Sceaux, designed by André Le Nôtre, faced an uncertain future. Development loomed. Destruction was a real possibility. Bergeret de Frouville stepped in. He convinced the elected officials of the Seine Department to purchase the Domaine in 1923. This act preserved a masterpiece of landscape architecture. It opened it to the public. Today, two million visitors a year enjoy this beautiful space. They walk, run, and let children play amongst the trees. They admire the park’s beauty and absorb its history.
Bergeret de Frouville’s vision didn’t end with the purchase. He understood that the Domaine needed care. Restoration was crucial. The department had to divide and sell a third of the land to fund the work. In 1928, under architect Léon Azéma, the restoration began. This long-term project continues to this day. The intricate Broderies, designed by Le Nôtre, stand as a testament to this ongoing dedication.
This bronze bust, created by sculptor Claude Abeille, honors Bergeret de Frouville. It was unveiled in 2013 in the Pomone grove. The location itself is a tribute. It acknowledges his role in safeguarding this precious green space. Jean-Baptiste Bergeret de Frouville’s legacy lives on in every footstep taken on these grounds. His story is etched not only in bronze, but in the very fabric of the Domaine de Sceaux.