A French Chateau in the Brandywine Valley - Nemours

Nemours, the magnificent former estate of Alfred I. du Pont, is one of the finest examples of French-inspired architecture and formal garden design in the United States. Originally encompassing approximately 300 acres, the estate takes its name from Nemours, the ancestral home of the du Pont family in north-central France. The name reflects Alfred I. du Pont’s deep appreciation for French history, architecture, art, and culture, all of which are prominently reflected throughout the property.

At the heart of the estate stands the impressive 102-room mansion, designed in the grand French chateau style by the renowned architectural firm Carrere and Hastings. Construction took place between 1909 and 1910, and the completed residence was intended as a lavish gift from Alfred to his second wife, Alicia. The mansion was designed not simply as a private residence, but as a sophisticated expression of European elegance and refinement. Its imposing architecture, elaborate interiors, and carefully selected furnishings were intended to recreate the atmosphere and grandeur of an aristocratic French estate.

The interior of Nemours contains an extraordinary collection of antiques and decorative arts. Nearly every room contains furnishings, artwork, and architectural details dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Many of these treasures were acquired from historic French estates, giving the mansion an authentic connection to the European traditions that inspired its design. Fine furniture, decorative objects, paintings, textiles, and other works of art contribute to the richly appointed character of the rooms.

The grounds surrounding the mansion are equally impressive. Nemours features ten formal garden designs, each carefully planned to complement the architecture of the house and create a series of distinctive outdoor spaces. The gardens were strongly influenced by Alfred I. du Pont’s extensive travels throughout Europe, particularly his exposure to the formal gardens and grand landscapes of France. Geometric patterns, ornamental plantings, sculptures, fountains, reflecting pools, and carefully arranged vistas create a sense of order and symmetry characteristic of the great European garden traditions.

Today, Nemours stands as an extraordinary example of the Gilded Age fascination with European culture and serves as a lasting testament to the wealth, interests, and ambitions of the du Pont family.

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Wrought-iron gate detail

The drive and entrance gate as you approach the mansion

One of the pools with the house in the background

The perfectly manicured grounds and gardens with their pavilions and statues

Green and white awnings grace the mansion’s windows.

The front facade of the mansion

This is the intricately painted coffered ceiling in the 30’ x 35’ reception room.

It took four months just to empty the house of its 110,000 items prior to a three-and-a-half year renovation completed in 2009.

The main staircase

The main staircase with chandelier

Looking down the stairs from the second floor

Alfred du Pont’s portrait hands over the fireplace in the reception room. Carved into the fireplace mantle is the inscription “Aimer et Connaitre” which means “to know to love”, the philosophy of Mr. du Pont’s great-great-grandfather Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours.

In the Morning Room, Mrs. du Pont would socialize with family and friends.

A portrait of Jessie Ball, du Pont’s third wife hangs over the fireplace in the drawing room. She lived in the house until 1970.

Most of the rooms in the mansion are lit with amazing chandeliers like the one pictured here.

Second floor sitting room

From Mrs. du Pont’s closet

The Gold Room

One of the du Pont’s second floor sitting room

The chandelier in the dining room is said to be from the Shonbrunn Palace in Vienna. The room also contains a portrait of King Louie XVI over the fireplace.

The Conservatory has been filled with birdcages since 1910.

The Conservatory

The North Back Bedroom

The piano in the Music Room

Intricately carved mantle

The Library with over 2,000 books

The intercom

The Butler’s Pantry

The multiple refrigerators in the Butler’s Pantry

The stairs to the basement recreation area

Antique furnishings in the basement recreation area

Billards table in the basement

Observers could watch the billards game here in comfort.

Bowling alley in the basement

This is the inside of an electric light bath cabinet in the basement. Light therapy was thought to be a treatment for many ailments including obesity, scurvy, chronic gastritis, constipation and diabetes.

A utility sink in the Kitchen

The Kitchen

The Sunken Gardens were designed by du Pont’s son, Alfred Victor du Pont and Gabriel Massena.

The staircase into the sunken garden

The reflecting pool is filled with 800,000 gallons of water.

The wall of fountains

The Sunken Gardens feature a large lake and grottos.

The Promenade, also known as “The Long Walk”

The classical style of the Temple of Love with Diana, is the work of Jean-Antoine Houdin.

The Love Temple

The chauffer’s garage

The Rolls Royce inside the chauffeurs garage.

The Rolls Royce hood ornament

The entrance to the greenhouse

The 300-acre estate includes 10 extensive formal gardens.

After Alfred I. du Pont’s death in 1935, the estate remained in the du Pont family, with du Pont’s son even adding to the property with the creation of the Sunken Gardens. To ensure that the estate would be maintained as a house museum, the du Pont’s set up a trust called the Nemours Foundation.

What you should know:

• One price includes parking, gardens, chauffeurs garage and mansion admission.

• There are self guided tours including 77 rooms in the mansion.

• There is a shuttle bus to take you from the visitors center to the mansion.

• Picnicking is allowed.

• The estate is not open on Mondays, and is only open seasonally; check website for days and hours of operation.

• There are restrooms available.

Location: 850 Alpacas Drive, Wilmington, DE 19803

For more information: Nemours