With nearly 45 hectares of gardens, it is the largest private park in Europe.
But beyond its size, the Champ de Bataille estate, in Sainte-Opportune-du-Bosc (Eure), remains above all a unique place in its originality and beauty.
Despite inspiration dating back to the time of Louis XIV, this site classified as a “Remarkable Garden” is in reality a contemporary creation imagined by decorator Jacques Garcia and his teams, explains the castle website.
It allows us to sublimate this place nicknamed the “Norman’s Versailles”.
Between tradition and modernity
When Jacques Garcia bought the estate in 1992, there remained few traces of the splendor of the 17th century gardens.
A storm that occurred a year later also caused significant damage, sweeping away century-old trees.
The decorator was, however, able to draw inspiration from a sketch that a great landscaper had made for the estate: probably
André Le Nôtre,
Louis XIV's gardener.
Also read: This sublime Loire castle is home to one of the most beautiful gardens in France
With the help of Patrick Pottier, the decorator wanted to go further to offer a truly contemporary work inspired by Antiquity and philosophy.
“In the English garden which was to continue the French garden dictated by Le Nôtre, Jacques Garcia prefers to imagine a series of gardens with atmospheres as different as they are dreamlike,” explains the estate.
In total, in more than 15 years of work, three million cubic meters of earth were moved,
thousands of trees
– yews, hornbeams, lime trees – were planted and several infrastructures were built, including factories inspired by the 18th century. century, or even 20 ponds and fountains.
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“Go big and aim high”
Throughout the stroll in the gardens of the Champ de Bataille, inspirations follow one another on the symbolism of the 7 degrees of creation.
The visitor first discovers a French-style garden, with its flowerbeds, boxwoods and lace.
Aspects of the old English park have also been preserved.
Then, the journey continues with a Tuscan theater, a Greek temple, or even a Mughal palace from the 18th century.
The result is an impressive park, which completes the visit to the castle.
“Do big and aim high: my perpetual ambition finds its most successful realization here,” wrote Jacques Garcia for the “Most beautiful gardens in France” website.
The Champ de Bataille estate will reopen for a new season on Saturday March 16, 2024. The full price ticket to visit the gardens is 15 euros.