The park

The park, now approximately 25 acres in size, exhibits most of the Choulot characteristics, with bosquets of centennial trees, an avenue of pleached limes, chestnuts along the drive, and water features, all linked by a series of sinuous walks, focal points and open perspectives.

The original plans, hand coloured by Choulot’s disabled wife, are artworks in themselves, but unfortunately the plan for Fertot disappeared a century or so ago. Restoration has been informed by a traced copy of the plan, found by the Simonin family, who managed the estate farm for several generations.

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  • View of the chateau from the back of the statue by the lake

Beyond the series of water features, which used to be extensively engineered, there is a small natural waterfall, where the stream has found its own way through the silted-up system of sluice-gates and hydraulics. Around it are several centennial trees.

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  • Waterfall by the lake

The lake itself has a small island in the middle which can be reached by two bridges. Some sketched by the comte de Choulot were found which suggest that the original design of the bridges was a suspension type. On the central island is a swan house.

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  • View of the swan house from the park in autumn

The lime avenue, a hallmark of Choulot's park design, was restored and brought back to its original beauty.

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  • View of the lime avenue from the side of the chateau

The park and gardens of Chateau de Fertot were registered (inscrit) in 2008 as a historic monument.

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  • Main gate in spring 2018

A rarer sight is the park covered in snow which provides unique views.

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  • A snowy Fertot

The fields opposite the chateau were included as part of the Choulot landscape of “parc agricole” and they are also being restored to their original state. Here is the source for the ornamental waterways.

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  • The field opposite the chateau with cows