Le Jardin des sculptures, Château de Bois-Guilbert

A few kilometres north-east of Rouen, treat yourself to a poetic break during a walk in the Sculpture Garden of the Bois-Guilbert Château, a 17-acre park where art meets nature. Designed around buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, the garden is dotted with 70 works of art made by the sculptor and owner of the place: Jean-Marc de Pas. Off we go for this change of scene!

The Sculpture Garden is one of the places I have really wanted to visit since I arrived in Seine-Maritime. And the least I can say is that I was charmed as soon as I passed through the entrance gate!

In front of me, the manor house struck me by its imposing presence. Its orange brick walls contrast with the vast lawn in front of it. The beauty of the building, with its architectural details, its tall white windows and its slate roof fascinated me. At the foot of the chateau, I spotted a first sculpture. Wow! I was already looking forward to having a walk around, which would undoubtedly be full of surprises... But before immersing myself in this place, I headed for the reception to get a map of the park showing the different areas. The first part is dedicated to the history of the chateau and the site. I learnt that it was Pierre Corneille's cousin who founded the property in 1620. In fact, successive illustrious people have lived there including the economist Pierre le Pesant de Boisguilbert. I was surprised to read that Jean-Marc de Pas inherited this huge property when he was only 21 years old and that he would turn it into a green backdrop for his works of art… In this historical part, I learnt about the 400 years of history of the place in the small pavilion and the chapel. I was also delighted to discover a two-hundred-year-old chestnut tree with garden furniture underneath it, where I sat down to enjoy the peace and quiet and the beauty of the place.

I continued my walk... the first sculptures I saw where unexpected, surprising and puzzling. They perfectly fit in the setting, so much that they blend with the natural environment, merge with it as if making one. I strolled through the buildings and the works of art, I felt like I was walking on a cloud as the ground was so fluffy. I saw an old man sitting in an armchair, almost covered with moss. Further away, a young woman sitting on a bench, looking pensive. Some sculptures are very realistic, and I almost expected them to move any second. I followed a path that led to a small undergrowth. I entered the Symbolic Gardens. I walked slowly and quietly, as if I was afraid to startle the inhabitants of this garden. Their energy and aura enveloped me, and I felt overwhelmed by this benevolent atmosphere. I noticed a woman lying in the grass, I walked around her quietly to avoid waking her up. A little bit further away, a woman is sitting on the edge of the pond. I looked up towards the "winged woman” sculpture. It overlooks the island in the pond, wings spread, as if ready to fly off. I expected her to rise gracefully into the air. Here, women are a symbol, an allegory of nature, powerful, graceful and delicate. I fell under the spell of the perspectives of this garden, where the straight and curved lines create astonishing and enchanting views.

The Cosmos Gardens consists in a maze, I walked in with the clear intention of getting lost and let my future discoveries guide me. Everything looked stunning, I was smiling as I walked, looking forward to each new encounter with art. This park is like a green temple filled with serenity. I considered Jean-Marc de Pas' work as a tribute to women and nature and I felt the sincerity of his art. I soon encountered the “Women from the Five Continents”, who seemed to be patiently waiting for me. Each woman is wearing traditional clothes from their continent facing huge flowerbeds. All the rooms is this garden are like paintings I couldn't get tired of watching. I was dumbstruck by “Gaia and the planets”. A 4-metre-high sculpture standing in the heart a vast expanse with neat and precise lines, with beds of swaying grasses. The frame is a metal sphere, like a dress, with, at the top, the bust of a woman with golden complexion. The rays of the sun fall delicately on the sculpture. It shined as if it was the garden's sun, casting light on all the elements.

My walk continues to be dotted with new surprises. Couples representing love, closeness and warmth, were hugging each other out of sight, enjoying an intimate moment in the heart of this Garden of Eden. These couples provide views of the landscape surrounding the garden, or even are the focus of attention and design. Again, it was simply magnificent. As I was finishing visit, I slowly needed to come back down to earth to end this enchanting break. I had been looking forward to this visit for months, and I knew it would provide leave me with the memory of a sweet and poetic sunny afternoon and would make me want to come back again and see the sculptures in a different season. So, see you in autumn!