The labyrinth contains over 10,000 hornbeam trees used to form its high-walled corridors.
The original 18th-century garden plan survives intact, preserved through centuries of family ownership.
The site includes nine distinct thematic areas designed to be discovered sequentially.
Maintenance of the maze requires specialized arborists to trim the hedges manually to maintain their vertical, box-like shape.
The labyrinth was commissioned during the reign of Louis XV.
The Merville Labyrinth is a sprawling 4-hectare maze constructed in 1726 within the park of the Château de Merville near Toulouse. It features over 10 kilometers of paths lined by hornbeam hedges that reach heights of up to 3.5 meters. The labyrinth was designed by the Marquis de Chalvet-Rochemonteix to complement the estate's French-style gardens. It remains one of the largest boxwood and hornbeam hedges in Europe. Visitors navigate through various architectural follies and thematic paths within the dense foliage. The site is part of a larger historical estate that has been maintained by the same family since its creation. It is classified as a Monument Historique, recognizing its significance in 18th-century landscape design.
From the raised vantage points where the paths intersect, allowing a view down the long, symmetrical corridors.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the terrain is natural ground and can be uneven.
Carry a bottle of water and sun protection, as the paths are long and mostly exposed to the sky.
Allow plenty of extra time if traveling with young children, as the maze is physically demanding to navigate.
Do not attempt to navigate the maze without water, and avoid visiting during peak midday heat in July and August.
Open seasonally from spring through autumn; closed during the winter months.
Do not climb on the hedges or attempt to create new paths through the vegetation.
