It was only in the 17th century that the castle lost its status as a former defence castrum and became a place of pleasure and reception. A park therefore became necessary to satisfy the delights of the guests.
To design it, the Marquis of Thezan called on André Le Nôtre, the famous gardener of Versailles, whom he had met at the Court.
It was he who provided its structure, organisation and regular layout, characteristic of a "French garden".
In the second half of the 18th century, these gardens aroused admiration and, for almost a century, they continued to fascinate with their original care and layout, which evolved with the taste of the times. They were said to be "immense and grandiose, with gushing waters, green halls, and endless alleys offering a unique view".
The partial conversion of the garden into a landscape park in the second half of the 19th century did not completely erase this composition, which can still be seen in its southern part. When the site was transformed into a hydrotherapy centre from 1862 onwards, the large trees of the old garden were obviously preserved and new, more exotic, horticultural or contemporary trees were planted, in the typical style of English parks. It was at this time that the Orangery was built.
Thanks to these remarkable trees, we feel a dark and intimate coolness that guides us into the depth of space through the vertical lines. Some of them prevent us from extending our view over this expanse of greenery, but allow us to contemplate it through its rays of light. Others structure a part of the garden with their French garden lines. Sheltered from the sun, a few aids and neglected water paths protect us from the usual heat of the region.
A remarkable hydrology structures the garden with its central fountain, water paths and English river, closely monitored by the water tower. A spring feeds the fountains and ponds through terracotta and lead pipes. The water system ensures coolness in the summer and allows for the maintenance of the vegetation.
The ingenious gravity system, inherited from the 17th and 19th centuries, is still used today.
It is around this spring and thanks to the quality of its waters that the Hydrotherapy Institute has been developing.
We found the park in a critical state.
Although it was maintained with varying degrees of care until the end of the 1980s, when the clinic closed, nature eventually took over and it fell into a state of neglect.
Since 2019, we have been working on restoring the complex to its former glory.
Since 2019, we have been working to restore the park to its former glory and you will be able to discover a park in full revival: the paths are being redesigned, the fountains are gushing again, the boxwoods have regained their foliage and the birds are singing for the pleasure of all.