Nemours Mansion & Garden

I was fortunate to receive two 2015 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport tickets which gives you access to 11 amazing attractions throughout Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley’s top attractions and this was one of them. The Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport was valid from May 23, 2015 through September 7, 2015 and couldn’t be used during special events. We had no issues using them at the admission office and just waited for our passport stamp which was cool.
I had my 15 year old goddaughter who loves museums and we were both in awe of the beautiful grounds and mansion tour. We had to make reservations in advance, however we had a difficult time finding the location on our GPS. We arrived just in time for the shuttle bus that takes you on the tour of the mansion. The mansion was beautiful and we were able to view most of the home including the basement where there was a bowling alley, gym and Mr. DuPont’s office. I wont go into the history of the mansion because I forgot it all now, LOL but that’s what Google is for. LOL
Now the grounds outside of the mansion were just picturesque. We walked around and took a few pictures after we had a mini tour from the shuttle bus that drove us around and stopped and showed us their garage with gorgeous cars and a boat. This place is definitely a must see when you’re in the area.

Nemours is a spectacular house museum in Delaware. Nemours was the home of industrialist Alfred I. du Pont. The mansion, modeled after the Petit Trianon at Versailles, was constructed in 1909 – 1910. It was intended as a gift for Alfred’s second wife, Alicia, and is named for the French city where the du Pont family originated.
Alfred I. du Pont (1864 – 1935) was great-​grandson of Eleuthere Irenee du Pont, the founder of the Du Pont Company in 1802.
A tour of the house begins in the basement, showing the workings of the coal furnaces, backup electrical generator and fuse box the size of a wall. Alfred’s inventiveness contributed to the design of sloping floor for drainage and access hatches. A professional kitchen and spring water bottling plant were also here. Public rooms include the gym, a bowling alley, office, game room, library, drawing room, entry hall and dining room (The dining room includes portraits of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who Alfred’s great-​great grandfather Pierre knew as member of the Estates General for Nemours.) The second floor master bedroom, his and hers dressing rooms (decorated in browns and pinks, respectively), family bedrooms and guest bedrooms are also shown. Most of the antique furnishings were purchased for the house by the du Ponts. There are few family pieces, as the du Pont family was a very large one with many (competing) branches. Alfred was very aware of his French heritage and there are French touches throughout the house, even down to the fire hose boxes labeled «Pompe d’incendie».
Outside the mansion is a vast network of formal gardens in the French style. Visitors are free to walk around the gardens, though you are first taken on a bus orientation tour of them. An interesting addition to the house tour is the garage. Automobiles owned by the du Ponts are on display here, where the chauffeur also lived.
The number of visitors per day is limited, so visitors must make a reservation in advance. (When we visited, two couples who did not have reservations were turned away.) Visitors check in at the Visitor Center, where there are exhibits on the du Ponts and an orientation film. A bus takes visitors to the house and gardens.
Admission to the house and grounds is $ 15. Photography is not permitted inside the house.

I had been wanting to try Nemours for years. It was the only local grande manse left that I hadn’t visited. We had done all the other places several times over, and for some reason never made it around to this one.
Prior to visiting, we did a lot of online research for tips from travel blogs and rating websites, to assure we’d get everything possible out of our visit.
The prevailing recommendation was that it’s essential to make reservations ahead, and that if we wanted to pay in person to avoid online ticketing fees, we would need to call. Despite making NINE phone calls to the main number between 9am and 11am on a week day, we never got through to a live person. Since they REQUIRE reservations to visit, we were forced to reserve online, and pay added fees as a result of no one answering the phone, or returning our 2 voice mails.
When we arrived at the center 20 mins before the 3pm tour, we explained our issues to the silver-​haired woman at the ticketing desk. She was extremely unsympathetic about no one answering our calls, gave no apology or explanation, and told us too bad, but there is nothing she can do, and yes, visitors have to pay added fees when the Nemours staff refuses to do their job.
This was very disappointing, and a poor first impression.
The tour begins at the visitor’s center, with didactic panels of Alfred DuPont on the walls, and a theater. Of course, Longwood and Winterthur will fill you in on other DuPonts, but what I did appreciate about Nemours was the film they showed, which was mandatory, unlike the one at Longwood, where people mill in and out, and no one really watches it. The Nemours film educated me more on the family history back in France, and filled in some pieces of the puzzle that were very helpful.
That said, the environment for this film, and all the rules for visitors that they outline at the start of things, felt very controlling and a bit insulting. I felt like a kid being admitted to juvey. «Don’t touch the antiques» is certainly obvious. But they stress it so much, it’s beyond excessive. There are rules for where you can and can’t walk, and I don’t mean to stay on the runner or inside the velvet ropes, I mean you get a tip-​toeing feeling as they watch you move through the house (like reform school mistresses).
The day we were there, it was a bunch of geeky tourist-​looking adults, not the kind of people to make trouble. There were no kids visiting (if they are even allowed), yet this freaky watchful attitude persisted. We were not to touch this, we were to grab every railing whether we needed it or not, we were to wait here, no, here, while another group passed. What the heck?
Maybe the day before someone did something outrageous? I don’t know, but it was completely unlike anything I have ever seen. Winterthur has FAR more stuff, worth a heck of a lot more, and they don’t act like that. Monticello and Montpelier are US PRESIDENTS’ homes and THEY don’t act like that. What on earth makes the staff at Nemours think this place is so especially covetable, or in need of such dire protection?
The furnishings were nice, but not amazing. The homes mentioned in the para above boast far more spectacular interiors than Nemours. I was actually disappointed by the interior or Nemours, and I think people who have been to the abovementioned other homes would feel the same way.
The basement was the most interesting to me. A. DuPont’s inventions for modern conveniences, and the state-​of-​the-​art billiards room, were impressive. I could imagine a lot of fun being had in the various gaming facilities.
When we were finished, the guide hovered over us to the door, demanding «watch your step» the whole way. (I am not in a walker, lady.) Not only did she walk us to the threshold, but then across the patio and ONTO the tour bus. SHE BABYSAT US ONTO THE MINIBUS!
Then, we were told we would be taken by bus (whether we liked it or not) to the garden (which was about 30 feet from the front door we’d just left). The tram let us off, telling us if we felt hot, we mandatorily needed to drink water from the cooler offered at X location. We could walk on the paths only; watch your step! – Barked at us like we’re nuisances.
We were given 10 mins before being picked up again, and driven around the garden we’d just walked, but not allowed to walk this additional area for some reason.
The whole micromanaged, policed craziness was bizarre to us. My husband and I thought we were in the Twilight Zone. It was so unfriendly, and made the whole visit feel miserable. I’d have had a MUCH better time if I didn’t feel so controlled and bullied everywhere.
All in all, the place is worth a visit for its aesthetic and historical value. However, with all there is in the area, Nemours is NOT worth a stop unless you’ve already done everything else. The staff is a bunch of unhappy control freaks, who practice the opposite of hospitality, and ruin the experience. I’d be embarrassed to take guests there.

What a great tour!!! Impressive! We were there about a month ago, so nice. The grounds and the mansion are just so beautifully kept. The tours run very efficiently, a smooth operation for certain! Well worth the time and money, if you are into this kind of thing, like we are. The tour guides are friendly and very informational and interesting. Really cool tour, highly recommended. Will def go back in the spring.

Loved it! Very informative, and the house was beyond amazing. The gardens were spectacular! Yes, you need reservations. All staff were friendly and informative. Would definitely go back if ever in DE again. Totally worth and beyond the price I paid.

yes, this is one the great duPont estates
here’s a small piece of trivia according my old grandpa who at duPonts exp station for 40 years as a patent chemist.
the sharp glass on top of stone wall surronding the estate is meant to keep out alfred duPont’s realtives with whom he had a big feud with for marrying a very young jessie ball,
his second cousin which was at the time very scandoulous, hence, the glass inbedded in the wall.
when as small boy played duPont’s gold course across the estate, I’m came very close to hitting gold balls over Rt 141 and into the estate — my grandpa was not happy with me.

You get a lot for your $ 18. Your trip begins with a film that talks about Alfred Dupont. After the short movie you are greeted by a friendly and warm shuttle bus driver who takes you to the mansion. There were 21 on our shuttle and I was very surprised when we arrived at the mansion that they split us into groups of 4 or 5 — thus, the tour is extremely personal. After the 1 ½ tour of the mansion, you once again board the shuttle and have a tour of the beautiful gardens. After the tour you have the opportunity to either return to the Visitor Center or walk the grounds.
This is a much see when in Delaware!!!

This place was absolutely gorgeous! The mansion is decorated with stuff from all over the world, even some pieces that belonged to royalty, so it’s very lavish. You get a nice history lesson on the tour and learn all about AI DuPont and his family. The gardens and pool are beautiful, and I bet they’re even better in the spring when everything is blooming. Overall this was a great way to spend an afternoon

Beware. No reservation equals no entry. The rather aloof greaters I sense were very used to turning away hundreds of others. The deal is this– they allow 48 people per hour by reservation only to view the mansion and ground? That is like saying Versailles can only handle small groups of ten at a time or the Grand Canyon can only be seen by walking single file in line. And by reservation only. Not well publicized and be prepared to not enter without the coveted reservation.

I researched Nemours online to go for a day out with my guests from England. Truth is, it did say reservations were recommended, especially for bus groups. However, we were only three people, and were setting off before they were open on a day that threatened rain.
When we arrived, there were only about 6 cars in the parking lot, my guest joked that maybe everyone knows something we didn’t know. When we went into the reception area, there were three greeters and a lady behind the desk. We asked for tickets for three to see the house and garden. The lady behind the counter asked us for our reservation, I said we didn’t have one. She and the other ladies laughed and said we could not go in as they were expecting a bus tour. I asked if we could just see the gardens. She laughed again and said no, and repeated haughtily that they were expecting a bus tour.
Obviously this place is not interested in visitors. How many hundred acres is it? How many people does a bus hold? This does not compute. They need to be explicit on their website that people are not welcome and will be laughed at if they come without a reservation. Even if they have come all the way from England (by way of Hatfield I know, but that is still over an hour’s drive away to get there by 9 am for the only time offered for the garden tour.!)

just a great time. such a beautiful day trip, peaceful, small tour group, the house feels like a meat locker so be sure to bring a sweater. buying the dupont biography so intrigued by this family. they seem so thoughtful and mindful and not too overly eccentric or kooky. the best part was sereneness. there was nobody around, making the walk through the grounds so wonderful. coming from a big city people are everywhere and here it was the opposite and you could really let the location sink in.
bought tickets online. they break you into small groups of 4 so you can ask questions, linger somewhere longer if you want. overall the mansion tour was two hours but beginning to end was 3 total.

Great, great grandfather… Pierre Samuel duPont de Nemours… advisor to King Louis XVI and that Marie character during that little historical event called the Revolution. Political unrest sets in, goes to Delaware at the urging of old cronie, Thomas Jefferson… after settling in Brandywine, starts a gunpowder works with his son. Thus is birthed the mega international DuPont Company.
Century later, Alfred duPont builds château here (super duper close to the children’s hospital, and to Astra-​Zeneca), a 47,000 square foot mansion inspired by Versailles. It was finished in 1910.
Lots of priceless works of art, sculptures, a reflecting pool… even gardens that look absolutely, quintessential European.
About half hr south of Philly.

Great fun. Nice tour. Its not the same walk around style as Longwood. By appointment only.
Begins with a short narrated bus guide, a guided tour around the mansion, free walk around the gardens, & then a few antique & rare cars.
A nice afternoon.

Nemours shows real opulence from the gilded age and beyond. Nemours seems most impressive in the Spring and Summer with the gardens, fountains, and furnishings giving visitors a much better gestalt. Been here 3 times in 30 years.
You’ll undoubtedly need to make reservations. Rockefeller Mansions in the Hudson Valley NY don’t hold a candle to Nemours. Neither do some castles in England.
The whole Brandywine Valley — in and around Wilmington — is loaded with a polished history. A trip here really takes your mind off the current state of business failure and downtrodden patches. Memorable beyond just an ordinary change of scenery.

Magnificent! Leave it to the DuPonts to litter Wilmington and Chadds Ford with an embarrassment of riches!
Although I’ve pondered if Alfred I. DuPont was the saint he is portrayed to be at Nemours, he had a square head on his shoulders, millions of dollars in his pocket, the unequivocal love of his family, and excellent taste. As opposed to the mansions of Newport, the art in Nemours was top notch! The architecture was grand but not gross. The family touches and personal quirks of Alfred abound through the house’s interior. Love the bowling alley and his water bottling and carbonation operation!
Although you are taken as a large group to the house, you go through the house in groups of four, providing an intimate and personal experience. With the huge endowment, the visitor center is exactly that, a place of orientation… no gift shop!
The gardens are a show piece of the Gilded Age! I wish we had been there is the Spring, still, at the start of September, there was much to enjoy. The formal gardens are a hybrid of French and English traditions mixed with a bit of American whimsy. The grounds are extensive, a mix of lawns and woods. The tour through the property also takes you to the garage and the DuPont’s auto collection. You begin the tour with a carnation and end with a bottle of DuPont water. Perhaps they can be persuaded to provide each guest with a piece of Teflon cookware.

Like taking an elegant trip back in time to experience the lifestyle and opulence of perhaps one of the most influential and wealthy families in the nation, the DuPonts.
Those visiting must register for a specific time, tour groups are small and taken through the mansion in groups of 5 or 6 to maintain the quiet integrity of the mansion and to apparently allow the guide to explain and give more details. No photos are allowed in the house for some odd reason. They are very, VERY protective of the artifacts and layout of the mansion.
The tour and indeed the home itself will explain the life, passions and even shortcomings of the man who built this magnificent mansion and its Versailles-​like gardens, Alfred I. DuPont, wealthy son of one of the primary DuPont brothers to settle the Delaware Valley and make their initial fortunes in milling and gun powder. Mr. DuPont was also the man who endowed/​started the world-​famous Nemours Childrens Hospital which sits just north of the mansion grounds.
The gardens are magnificent and while I’ve seen many extravagant mansions built by the super-​rich of yesteryear, this is one of the most ornate both inside and out. Those with a love of regional history or architecture, furniture or interior design will love this place.
Browsing the gardens and grounds is tour-​guide free which makes-​up for the hawk-​like attitude one gets from the guides in the house. Once you’ve walked the gardens, the shuttle bus will take you on a tour of the estate itself where visitors can experience the winding paved roads through the property, the many deer and wildlife walking around and finally the DuPont’s carriage house, meticulously cared for and housing Mr. DuPonts many now-​antique roadsters, Rolls Royces and Mercedes as well as many of the wildlife trophies he kept.
A great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon for guys in their 20s to retired folks. Don’t miss it if you’re anywhere near Wilmington.