Closure is planned for the end of year 2018 because subsidy from local and national government is too short.

The Domaine des Barres (283 hectares) was purchased in 1821 by Philippe André de Vilmorin for his studies in forestry.

At that time it was almost entirely barren of trees, but Vilmorin planted today's extensive forest, primarily of Pinus sylvestris, P. laricio, and P. pinaster, as well as American oaks.

Director Léon Pardé greatly expanded the arboretum between 1919-1934, primarily by addition of specimens from the Far East.

Its extensive collections include oaks (109 species), hawthorns (92), maples (85), spruces (57), pines (54), and firs (44).