French Heritage Society

French Heritage Society

Preserving our historic treasures to inspire future generations

Gardens & Parks

Château de By / Rosa Bonheur

Apr 2, 2025
The former home and studio of internationally renowned artist Rosa Bonheur, the Château de By now houses the museum that bears her name. Site History A 15th-century seigneurial domain in the hamlet of By-Thomery, the Château de By was purchased by the renowned painter Rosa Bonheur in 1859, following the sale of her painting The Horse […]

Château de By / Rosa Bonheur

The former home and studio of internationally renowned artist Rosa Bonheur, the Château de By now houses the museum that bears her name.

Site History

A 15th-century seigneurial domain in the hamlet of By-Thomery, the Château de By was purchased by the renowned painter Rosa Bonheur in 1859, following the sale of her painting The Horse Fair. The artist commissioned the architect Jules Saulnier to build her studio. She lived in the château for 40 years, until her death in 1899. 

The first woman to be awarded the Grand Croix of the Légion d’honneur, Rosa Bonheur was adored for her talent and passion in France as well as in the United States and England. She painted animals, landscapes and portraits in addition to being a sculptor. Her works have traveled around the world, and dignitaries and crowned heads visited her at the Château de By. After her death, the property was taken over by the painter Anna Klumpke, who preserved the estate and opened Bonheur’s studio to the public in order to keep her memory alive. In 2017, the property passed into the hands of Katherine Brault, who remains committed to safeguarding the château along with its collections and vast park. In 2018, the Musée d’atelier Rosa-Bonheur, recognized as a “Maison des Illustre,” opened in the château. 

About the Project

This project entails the complete restoration of the Chambre à Chasselas, or Grape Room. It is part of a major project to fully rehabilitate the château and its three-hectare park, restoring the biodiversity of its ecosystem. Rosa Bonheur held a special reverence for nature, both in her work and in her life. The park of the Château de By was a source of daily inspiration, as was the forest of the nearby Château de Fontainebleau.

Château de By Today

The year 2022 marks the bicentenary of Rosa Bonheur’s birth. In recognition of the occasion, the first retrospective dedicated to the artist will be held at the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux, her city of birth. Other initiatives include the production of television shows and documentaries on the artist and a series of prestigious events held at the château (to include an open-air music festival, special exhibitions, etc.). FHS will also continue to place student interns at the château, as it has since 2019, as part of its Education Program.

Château de la Mésangère

Apr 2, 2025
Located within a park designed by Le Nôtre, La Mésangère has served as inspiration for writers including La Fontaine and Fontenelle. Site History La Mésangère as it exists today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The current château was built on the foundations of a feudal structure destroyed in 1592, during the Wars of […]

Château de la Mésangère

Located within a park designed by Le Nôtre, La Mésangère has served as inspiration for writers including La Fontaine and Fontenelle.

Site History

La Mésangère as it exists today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The current château was built on the foundations of a feudal structure destroyed in 1592, during the Wars of Religion, by the Catholic troops of the Duke of Mayenne. In 1659, the land of La Mésangère was purchased by Guillaume Scott, who undertook the development of the park, the plan of which is attributed to André Le Nôtre. The work continued from around 1663 until around 1675 and included the construction of walls and a ditch to protect against wolves, construction of the dovecote, and the planting of avenues and groves. 

In 1677, Guillaume II Scott married Marguerite de Rambouillet, daughter of Madame de La Sablière, who had run a very popular salon under Louis XIII. Madame de La Sablière was the protector of Jean de La Fontaine, who is said to have written two fables in the park. The author Bernard de Fontenelle stayed frequently at the estate, where he found inspiration for his Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds. During the 18th century, the Scotts furnished the park with a statuary representing subjects of Greek mythology. The estate was acquired by Chrestien de Fumechon in 1791 and remained by descent in the same family until 2013. The present owners acquired it in 2019.

About the Project

The restoration project concerns the stone bridge linking the park to the rest of the estate. The bridge is currently dangerous, and access is prohibited. Work will include masonry and the replacement of carved stone blocks.

La Mésangère Today

The park was open for the International Heritage Days in 2020 and 2021 and for the Nuit des Châteaux, featuring a play about La Fontaine in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of his birth, in 2021. The owners plan to open the park to the public as soon as preparatory work has been completed for the restoration of the statues, with the objective of developing a cultural and educational tour centered on Greek mythology. At the end of 2021, the Parc des Boucles de la Seine Normande approved funding for the restoration of the statues, and the dossier is being reviewed by the region.

Château de Donjeux

Apr 2, 2025
Passed down among women since the early 1800s, the Château de Donjeux is situated among majestic terraced gardens that are maintained with a focus on environmental sustainability. Site History The current Château de Donjeux dates from 1755 and was built on the ruins of a fortified 11th-century fortress. Following the death of the Marquis de […]

Château de Donjeux

Passed down among women since the early 1800s, the Château de Donjeux is situated among majestic terraced gardens that are maintained with a focus on environmental sustainability.

Site History

The current Château de Donjeux dates from 1755 and was built on the ruins of a fortified 11th-century fortress. Following the death of the Marquis de Lespéroux in 1770, the chateau was passed on to one of his sons, Sébastien Charles Hubert. Hubert died during the French Revolution, and his family fled to Switzerland. When they returned to France, they reclaimed Donjeux and maintained it until handing it over to Jean-Baptiste Raulot for financial reasons in 1810. Since that date, the Château de Donjeux has been inherited several times by women in the same family. In 1991, it was jointly owned by nine Viney siblings. In 2021, the joint ownership was extended to their children.

The architect of the château and its gardens was Jean-Michel Chevotet (1698–1772), who also designed the Château de Champlâtreux, the Pavillon de Hanovre and the Château de Beloeil—the “Belgian Versailles”—and its majestic park. 

About the Project

The restoration work concerns several architectural elements in the terraced French gardens that surround the buildings: the reflecting pool, the outer walls, and three entry gates and their flowerpots. 

The Château de Donjeux Gardens Today

An association, les Amis du Château de Donjeux, was created in 2022 to develop activities and open the estate more broadly to the public, with a special emphasis on activities for children and appreciation for the gardens. The gardens are maintained with consideration for environmental sustainability, including a “zero pesticides” policy. They include a large and beautiful vegetable garden enclosed by walls and iron gates, which offers an east-west perspective perpendicular to the avenue leading to the main courtyard. The charm lies in the interplay of the different levels of terraces, linked by freestone ramps that enclose two pavilions. Stone and cast-iron vases adorn the terrace walls and highlight their design. 

Château de Bourmont

Apr 2, 2025
Owned by the same family for 25 generations, the Château de Bourmont dates back to the 14th century, and the remains of the ancient defensive structure are visible at the base of the moats and towers. Site History The origins of Bourmont date to the 14th century, but much of what remains today dates from […]

Château de Bourmont

Owned by the same family for 25 generations, the Château de Bourmont dates back to the 14th century, and the remains of the ancient defensive structure are visible at the base of the moats and towers.

Site History

The origins of Bourmont date to the 14th century, but much of what remains today dates from the 15th through the 18th centuries. The remains of the ancient defensive structure are visible at the base of the wall of the dry moats and the towers. The Château de Bourmont was the birthplace of Louis-Auguste-Victor, Count de Ghaisnes de Bourmont, who captured Algiers in 1830 and was consequently made Marshal of France. In 1795, during the Chouannerie, the Viscount of Scépaux established his headquarters at the château. The château was set on fire during the French Revolution, and the damage caused resulted in vast restoration work during the 19th century. 

The current owners represent the 25th generation of the same family to oversee the château and surrounding estate. They have been living there since 2001.

About the Project

The restoration concerns the 18th-century moats and their support walls to the north and south. The chief architect on the project, Pascal Filatre, is a former FHS Richard Morris Hunt Fellow. The estate includes a 85-hectare park designed by landscape architect Eugène Bühler, enclosed by four kilometers of continuous walls. The moats comprise part of the overall design of the park and gardens. 

Bourmont Today

The château has experienced an increase in visitors, events and other activities since the recent restoration efforts to save the Saint John tower, which led to greater visibility thanks to media coverage and a crowdfunding campaign. The owners are also opening up the château’s vast private archives to historians who wish to consult them.

Château de Miromesnil

Apr 2, 2025
The birthplace of the writer Guy de Maupassant, the Château de Miromesnil is set within a splendid beech grove; its grounds feature a 200-year-old cedar and a traditional vegetable garden.  Site History The Château de Miromesnil was built in the 16th and 17th centuries, on the site of an ancient fortified castle. Its façades reflect the Henri […]

Château de Miromesnil

The birthplace of the writer Guy de Maupassant, the Château de Miromesnil is set within a splendid beech grove; its grounds feature a 200-year-old cedar and a traditional vegetable garden. 

Site History

The Château de Miromesnil was built in the 16th and 17th centuries, on the site of an ancient fortified castle. Its façades reflect the Henri IV and Louis XIII styles of architecture. The château was notably home to Armand-Thomas Hue, Marquis de Miromesnil, who served as Keeper of the Seals under Louis XVI and became the first President of the Parliament of Rouen. It is also the birthplace, in 1850, of the celebrated author Guy de Maupassant. The salons of the château evoke the memory of these two illustrious figures. 

The estate has belonged to the same family for three generations. Nathalie and Jean-Christophe Romatet have lived in the château with their three children since 2004. Nathalie’s grandparents, the Count and Countess Bertrand de Vogüé, acquired Miromesnil in 1938.

About the Project

The restoration concerns the outer stone wall that encloses the château and its park. A splendid 10-hectare beech forest surrounds the château, and the park is home to a 200-year-old cedar from Lebanon. A traditional vegetable garden continues to provide the château with flowers, fruit and vegetables. The strict arrangement of the rows of vegetables contrasts with the exuberance of the flowerbeds that surround them. In the woods, visitors encounter a listed 15th-century chapel featuring stained-glass windows and 16th-century polychrome statues.

Miromesnil Today

Miromesnil functions as a year-round residence for the Romatet family, and visitors are welcome to discover the château and its grounds, including the woods and vegetable garden. With guest rooms and events such as an Easter egg hunt, a Christmas market and games of Cluedo, the château offers something for all tastes and ages. The variety at Miromesnil attracts visitors from around the world to experience the magic of an estate that is alive with activity.

Château de l’Islette

Feb 12, 2025
A Renaissance-style castle now inhabited by its owners, the Château de l’Islette stands in harmonious contrast to its surrounding English-style gardens Site History & Significance The Château de l’Islette is a 16th-century Renaissance-style castle comprising a long, rectangular main building that spans three floors, flanked by two imposing cylindrical towers with pointed roofs. It is […]

Château de l’Islette

A Renaissance-style castle now inhabited by its owners, the Château de l’Islette stands in harmonious contrast to its surrounding English-style gardens

Site History & Significance

The Château de l’Islette is a 16th-century Renaissance-style castle comprising a long, rectangular main building that spans three floors, flanked by two imposing cylindrical towers with pointed roofs. It is believed to have been constructed by the same craftsmen who built the neighboring Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, and the two bear a number of resemblances, particularly in terms of the architectural decorations on their façades. An older section, a combination of brick and stone, dates to the 15th century and completes the ensemble. The resemblance to Azay-le-Rideau was even more striking before the moats were filled in, the gables of the dormer windows trimmed and the towers truncated at the beginning of the 19th century, giving the building its current appearance.

In the 1890s, the château hosted the sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel, serving as a refuge for the lovers amid the obligations of public life. It was here that Claudel sculpted La petite châtelaine, a bust depicting the six-year-old granddaughter of the château’s owner.

About the Restoration Project

The restoration project is focused on essential repairs following the partial collapse of the attic floor. The rupture of a load-bearing beam led to the collapse of four other beams that make up the floor. Following this incident, which resulted in the immediate closure of this part of the castle to the public, the owners commissioned a specialized timber structure consulting firm to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the castle’s floors.

To assess the condition of the remaining beams supporting the attic floor, the owners removed the flooring made of terracotta blocks and found that a total of 13 beams were severely damaged. Additionally, a pest study revealed the presence of mérule, or dry rot. Currently, the urgency lies in addressing the dry rot (if confirmed by the consulting firm) before proceeding with the repairs to the collapsed section and reinforcing the upper floors of the two adjacent rooms. This work must be completed prior to embarking on the restoration of the attic.

Château de l’Islette Today

The château is surrounded by splendid English-style gardens, which create a harmonious contrast to the raw form of the building. Rare, centuries-old trees, including a row of plane trees, a black walnut, lindens and chestnuts, make these gardens a botanical treasure trove. The main idea, as with many Loire castles, is to tastefully blend the beauty of architecture with the aesthetics of the gardens.

The current owners, who live in the château, are committed to enhancing it and its grounds so that the public can experience the architectural and natural heritage they have cultivated. They offer a variety of activities, including an escape game on the castle grounds, that allow visitors of all ages to discover the value of this unique heritage.

Château de Canon

Feb 12, 2025
The 18th-century Château de Canon is known for its immaculately preserved park, designed with both French and English elements and home to well-kept flowerbeds, wild groves and period structures. Site History & Significance The Italian-style Château de Canon was created in the 18th century by Jean-Baptiste Elie de Beaumont, a prominent lawyer of the Enlightenment […]

Château de Canon

The 18th-century Château de Canon is known for its immaculately preserved park, designed with both French and English elements and home to well-kept flowerbeds, wild groves and period structures.

Site History & Significance

The Italian-style Château de Canon was created in the 18th century by Jean-Baptiste Elie de Beaumont, a prominent lawyer of the Enlightenment era and a friend of Voltaire. It has remained in the same family since then. During the Second World War, it housed a German military hospital and suffered damages from American bombings on its outbuildings.

The château’s park, which holds the prestigious “Remarkable Garden” label, is notable for its well-kept flowerbeds, wild groves and period structures (such as Chinese kiosks and a Greco-Roman temple) whose composition has remained unchanged since the mid-18th century. Referred to as a transitional garden, it is designed with elements of both French and English styles and abounds with streams, waterfalls and canals. The park is also known for the “Chartreuses,” a series of walled gardens entirely planted with perennials, serving as a true open-air greenhouse.

About the Restoration Project

The ongoing restoration of the park poses a major challenge due to the multitude of architectural elements present and the constant maintenance they require. The FHS grant supports restoration of the red Chinese kiosk, one of the park’s emblematic features. Installed in 1781 above the water, the kiosk has miraculously survived the centuries despite its fragility. It occupies a central position in the park, gracefully animating the major east-west axis that structures the gardens.

The last restoration, in 2015, primarily focused on the upper parts and the roof of the structure. Today, the kiosk shows signs of deterioration throughout its lower sections, particularly as regards the balustrades, crosspieces and corner posts. In accordance with the plans established in collaboration with the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles, the current work entails a complete restoration of these lower parts, as well as repainting to preserve the integrity of the structure before the arrival of winter. This project aims to ensure the longevity and beauty of this historical landmark at the heart of the Canon park.

Château de Canon Today

The Château de Canon has been open to visitors since 1982 and welcomes approximately 25,000 people annually. Throughout the year, it organizes guided tours and themed weekends for both adults and children. The château places environmental causes at the core of its activities and is a must-visit stop along the Pays d’Auge cycling route.

Latour-Marliac

Feb 7, 2025
The world’s oldest water lily nursery, Latour-Marliac inspired Claude Monet to establish his own water garden at Giverny. Site History & Significance Located in Le Temple-sur-Lot, near Agen, Latour-Marliac is the oldest water lily nursery in the world and home to the French National Collection of the genus Nymphaea. It was founded in 1875 by […]

Latour-Marliac

The world’s oldest water lily nursery, Latour-Marliac inspired Claude Monet to establish his own water garden at Giverny.

Site History & Significance

Located in Le Temple-sur-Lot, near Agen, Latour-Marliac is the oldest water lily nursery in the world and home to the French National Collection of the genus Nymphaea. It was founded in 1875 by Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac, who is famous for pioneering the hybridization of water lilies through a process that retains its mystery to this day. He introduced his collection of hybrids at the Exposition universelle of 1889, and they won first prize in their category. They also captured the attention of Claude Monet, who later ordered Latour-Marliac water lilies for his now iconic pond at Giverny.

In 2007, the French-American landscaper Robert Sheldon, a lifelong enthusiast of water lilies, took over the site, continuing its legacy.

About the Restoration Project

The restoration project concerns the lotus basins, the oldest of which date back to 1870, and which have not undergone any major restoration to date. These basins, arranged in the shape of a horseshoe, require masonry work to reinforce their structure and restore their watertightness.

Latour-Marliac Today

Today, many of the colorful water lilies you see in nurseries and water gardens around the world trace their origins to Latour-Marliac. Designated a “Remarkable Garden,” Latour-Marliac spans 2.5 hectares and houses 250 hardy and tropical water lily species. It is open during the blooming season, from May to October, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the gardens, cultivation pools, greenhouses, bamboo grove and ponds featuring a Japanese bridge reminiscent of Giverny.