Route of the Jewels of Mayenne

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Jardins et château des Arcis

A noble residence with a thousand facets

Jardins et château des Arcis

Catholic, having participated in the wars of religion, Charles de Cervon rebuilt his castle between 1575 and 1622 combining a defensive architecture of medieval inspiration with the smiling aspect of a castle at the end of the Renaissance period.

Medieval inspiration

The castle erects its walls on a square platform surrounded by large moats; you will cross them easily, a sleeping bridge having replaced the drawbridge. At an angle of this court stands the four-storey high dungeon, with a superb curved roof Bordering the old forecourt of the castle, the Great Servitude Building will impress you with its size: built to house horses in stables on the ground floor, and men-at-arms in a huge room under the roofs ( visible only during guided tours), it is flanked by a large dovecote.

Renaissance Gardens

Charles de Cervon is knight of the order of the King and ordinary gentleman of his court (Henry IV, then Louis XIII), so sensitive to the fashion of his time: certainly very attracted by the art of gardens, he drew a large hidden park at the back of the castle, according to a typical plan of the end of the Renaissance, restored and replanted in 2009-2010 the end of the Renaissance, restored and replanted in 2009-2010 You will discover the pleasure garden with its boxwood embroidery and flower beds. You can then stroll in shady alleys, walk along canals, follow the banks of the pond, discover a rose garden, explore the labyrinth island. The orangery, small "madness" of the early nineteenth century, waiting for you at the entrance of the castle: you will find documents for the visit, a treasure hunt for children. A poetic place, full field, conducive to a return to a timeless nature, orderly and wild, a second Renaissance!

During your walk

Lovers of history and architecture will appreciate the marks of different periods: pediments, tufa or brick cornices, roof details

The kids will love running in the grass, watching carp and moose water hens, exploring labyrinth island, doing our treasure hunt.

Garden and nature lovers will find a wide variety of flowers, bushes and decorative trees, fruit trees; every corner of the Park has its atmosphere and its views that poets and artists will appreciate ...

Curious minds will be interested in photo exhibitions on the restoration of gardens in the orangery, on restoration work on the buildings in the Philibert Delorme frame barn.
Our friends with disabilities will have access to the garden of the orangery, the pleasure garden and the old vegetable garden, the orangery and the barn. If the weather is mild and the ground dry, they will be able to walk the alleys and go around the pond.

Swallows and owls, carp and water hens, ducks and herons, hares and rabbits populate our garden; the deer hide and yet ... love to eat our rosebuds and rub their young horns on the trunk of our trees ... maybe you will see them at the turn of an alley

Gallery

More informations

Website

http://www.chateaudesarcis.com/

Contact

Adresse: Château des Arcis, 53170 Meslay-du-Maine
Phone: 0688682321
Mail: chateaudesarcis@gmail.com
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Schedule

Free visit of the exteriors and gardens from 10am to 12.30pm and from 14h to 18h every day except Tuesday and Thursday, from 19th April to 30th September (except from 9th to 19th August)

Guided tour for groups by appointment

Pricing

5 € per person

3 € for children from 6 to 12 years old (with passbook-riddle booklet offered)

Free for under-5s

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