Parc et Jardin du Château de Bosmelet

The Park of Bosmelet Château is located in the heart of the Pays de Caux, near Auffay. Around this Château, listed a Historic Monument that exemplifies Louis XIII architecture, stretches a 2.5 acre park designed by Colinet, Le Nôtre's head gardener. The park is planted with numerous remarkable trees including four five-hundred-year-old chestnuts and a three-hundred year old lime tree avenue long of 2.5 km, considered as one of longest ones in Europe! The park is also home to a vegetable garden planted with many varieties of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon, I decided to go and explore the Pays de Caux countryside that has inspired Gustave Flaubert so much. Along my way, I saw a sign pointing towards “Château de Bosmelet”. My instinct as a heritage lover immediately told me to go there. The entrance of the site is simply magical and bewitching. I drove up an impressive beech avenue called “Allée de la Dame Blanche”. The name only fascinated me and I was already dreaming! Completely surrounded by these beeches, I felt like in a green corridor. Through my car window, I looked up at the sky. The trees are so tall that I could barely make out the sky and the sun through the foliage. The atmosphere was enchanting. Relaxing. I felt like I was travelling back in time and with a little bit of imagination, I could almost hear the sound of horses coming driveway. Here I was, imagining I was Emma Bovary walking across the Pays de Caux!

After parking in the small car park at the end of the Allée de la Dame Blanche, I headed towards the entrance gate. I stopped even before walking through, amazed by the view! In front of me, a long cobbled path lined with small fir trees leading straight to the manor house. As I walked up this path, a charming pet came up to meet me. This ginger cat is Falstaff, he was named after the first owner of the place, if that is not a sign! Escorted by this curious resident, I entered the chateau whose doors were open. In the heart of the entrance hall, the majestic sculpture of a deer. Impressed, I looked up at the details of the architecture of this room: it is all about arabesque and symmetry. I turned around to face the immensity of the park, this huge green carpet and its incredible lime tree avenue. I walked quietly and lightly closer to these three-hundred year-old trees, as if I didn't want to wake them up. I don't have the words to describe my awe in front of this striking sight. Everywhere in the park, I walk passed these noble giants, witnesses to the past and the out-of-the-ordinary history of this site. Their bark is streaked, like wrinkles that reveal all their wisdom. How can one not be filled with wonder?

The entrance to the vegetable garden is through a splendid gate in the middle of lime trees. It felt like stepping in a secret garden. The garden is enclosed which enhances its warm and intimate atmosphere. I discovered beautiful flower beds with vivid colours. Listening to the sounds of nature, I closed my eyes and breathed in the sweet smells that reached my nose. A little bit further away, I saw an imposing magnolia that seemed to dominate this vegetable garden. At its foot, there was a bench, and I took time to sit down a few minutes in front of the central basin. Pure bliss! Looking at the vegetable garden, I was overwhelmed with memories. I was 8 years old again on holiday at my grandparents'. I walked along the strawberries and raspberries and I couldn't help but pick one to eat. I could picture myself picking those little red berries with my grandmother to make jam! I continued my walk through a boxwood and rose arbour and strolled surrounded by these gems, it was simply magical!

I am definitely going from one surprise to another... Close to the château, there is an imposing work of art representing a bridge. This contemporary sculpture contrasts significantly with the setting of the site, as if to remind us of the wind of modernity brought by the current owner Alain Germain.

A little bit further away, under a splendid and imposing 500-year-old chestnut tree, I discovered a bunker as well as a V1 launch pad. It is with great interest that I learnt more about the unique history of this site closely related to the Second World War.

I ended my visit elated, my head full of memories, new ones that I had just created as well as old ones I recalled. What another nice afternoon!