In Calvados, the Château de Vendeuvre is an architectural marvel which notably houses the miniature furniture museum, the first collection in the world of this type.
But this place is also visited for its magnificent park which covers almost 15 hectares, classified “remarkable garden”. It is made up of three large landscaped spaces: a French garden, a utility garden and the “surprise water gardens”, indicates Normandy-tourism.
A magnificent French garden
The French gardens were created in the middle of the 18th century, during the construction of the castle, and were transformed into a landscaped park in the 19th century, the Château website indicates. But it was in the 1970s that the park was restored to take its current form. Guy de Vendeuvre was inspired by the 18th century plans and added creations on the theme of water and the topiary. Boxwall, fountains and water jets, with an arcade of greenery bordered by tilleuls on the horizon, characterize these French gardens.
For its part, the utility garden includes A fish spray (Trouts and freshwater fish), “a rare water dove” and a pyramid cooler that made it possible to store the ice used to prepare “ice cream and sorbets consumed during the hot season”, specifies the castle website.
Fountains, waterfalls, crystal shaft and Chinese bridge
From the cooler, an alley brings you to the ” Surprised water gardens », Including islands, waterfalls, streams. They are surrounded by hundred -year -old trees. The water mechanisms “were very fashionable in France in the 18th and 18th centuries”, specifies the site. Surprised water jets were therefore designed. The water springs from fountains, waterfalls, a crystal tree and the Chinese bridge, which are dispersed throughout the space.
The two labyrinths in the park will delight children. “A regular labyrinth and an irregular labyrinth also called the labyrinth of the fields, where a small rabbit hides there.” You will also discover “many factories associated with tales and legends”, such as the Burmese pavilion. The park hides alleys bordered by pots in pots and fig trees, but also a collection of succulents and papyrus. Along the greenhouse and the house are planted fragrant jasmins, and on the mound, southern ferns, melianths and bamboo. Palm trees, yuccas and bananas bring a touch of exoticism.
The estate is open this year until November 1. From July 1 to August 31, you can visit it every day from 12:30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. The entry rate for an adult varies from 11 to 14 euros depending on the access you choose and from 9 to 11.50 for young people.
