Nemours Estate & Gardens
Self-Guided Green Space
- Wayfinding
- Interpretive Storytelling
- Arts + Culture
Guiding Guests Through Grandeur
Nemours Mansion and Gardens, set on a sprawling 200-acre estate, features the largest French-style formal gardens in North America, inspired by Versailles. As public access shifted from guided tours to self-guided exploration, Exit was brought in to create wayfinding signage, maps, and brochures that help visitors navigate the grounds with ease—while also providing interpretive signage that highlights notable features and architectural gems throughout the estate.
Subtle, Seamless Navigation
To preserve the sweeping views and elegance of the gardens, we designed wayfinding elements with minimalist structures and a muted, context-sensitive palette that blends effortlessly into the landscape. The result is a navigation system that feels natural, intuitive, and unobtrusive to keep the gardens’ beauty front and center.
Planned for Every Step
Based on careful observations and circulation analysis, we developed a detailed programming plan that determined the ideal placement and messaging for each sign. This approach ensures that visitors can move through the gardens intuitively, with a cohesive navigational experience that supports self-guided exploration while minimizing confusion and maximizing enjoyment.
Stories Around Every Corner
Beyond navigation, we designed a series of interpretive signs to celebrate the estate’s rich natural and historic features. From garden plantings and seasonal wildlife to architectural highlights, each sign offers insight and context that deepens the visitor experience. Together, the interpretive elements transform a walk through Nemours into an engaging journey of discovery.
