Designed at the end of the XVIIIth century, this forty-acre Romantic park lies nestled at the confluence of the Eure and Iton, at the foot of the high hills. The park, which is, listed, complements perfectly the elegant Renaissance Château.

Nature found the ideal place for its expression in this picturesque haven of peace, harmony, and balance. In this place of astonishing diversity of life, all the senses are constantly stimulated. The whisperings of the river converse with the songs of the birds, and the mixture of scents from the varying plant species smell sweet in the fresh air.

Visitors find contentment immersing themselves in the delicate fragrances of the garden. While walking around this Romantic park, the visitor will appreciate the tranquility of a countryside perfect for daydreaming. An attractive harmony of colors is always evident; from the crimson leaves of the Copper Beech trees to the luminosity of the Swamp Cypress trees from Louisiana, it is nearly impossible not to stop oneself to simply admire the contrasting colors of the numerous groves and blooming flowers, each transforming with the seasons.

Above all, water defines the promenade. In walking along the rivers and canals, one ventures from formal arrangement of the garden to a Romantic park created to highlight a land where water and trees play an essential role. From one century to the next, the landscape has changed considerably. Rows of trees and flower beds have been converted into lawns, groves of trees, flowering shrubs, and water features such as the Grand Waterfall.

At the beginning of the last century, the vines and pasturelands that used to cover the hills bordering the Eure disappeared, and trees which now endow the countryside with great Romanticism replaced orchards of Wild Cherry trees, and Wild Service Trees and Black Thorn shrubs for clear spirits.

On the eve of the Revolution, inspired by new ideas and the Enlightenment, Esprit le Roux d’Esneval designed a Romantic park :

• The rectilinear network of canals is complimented by a winding river in which the Château and trees of spectacular size are reflected.
• A picturesque bridge even stretches across the canal, providing a tranquil route under the trees.
• Another path over the canal is created by moss-covered boulders which allow one to cross the river by jumping from stone to stone, mesmerized by the contrast between the sound of a fast-moving mountain stream, and the serenity of both the lake and the river here.

Lovers of literature may discover in the park’s sizable and majestic waterfalls the themes of Goethe and Rousseau, both passionate about nature’s untamed character.

Against this background, the visitor is truly transported into a state of nature untouched by the human hand. The waters separate and fall in an archway, then break and splash back in an interrupted fashion. Amidst the muffled noise of water, the fresh air, and the constant changes in scenery, the soul is touched simultaneously by melancholy and reverie. The water, calm or tumultuous, continues seamlessly. Winding paths merge to create unexpected vistas. The experience as a whole is like a painting; the play on colors, shades of light and darkness, and nature’s obscurities provide a true paradise for a photographer or painter.