This two-hectare park aimed to create a unique historical garden where maintenance is discreet, allowing each visitor to reconnect with nature. This 19th-century property, perched on the hill of Neauphle-le-Château in the Yvelines, was recently acquired by a couple seeking a simple and elegant life, away from the hustle of Paris and New York.
HORUS Paysages adopted differentiated management for this project, limiting intensive maintenance to certain areas, to highlight the natural beauty of the park. Below are the key elements of this exceptional layout, where harmonious shapes and soft lines enhance the history of this unique place.
1. Exceptional Garden and Differentiated Management
The size of the garden (two hectares) and the historical property presented significant challenges. We had to make choices that would simplify maintenance while blending perfectly with the landscape. Differentiated management helped combine beauty and simplicity.
- Structuring spaces by maintenance level: A simple lawn surrounded by large naturalistic plantings was chosen near the house. This created an elegant and colorful first space.
- Restructured and valued woodland: We developed the one-hectare wooded area around the property, creating a network of paths, some recreated, others restored, offering nature walks and varied viewpoints.
- Orchard and meadows with winding paths: We replanted the orchard and integrated it into a natural meadow, with winding paths inviting exploration and contemplation. Some areas are mown, supporting a respectful ecosystem.
Differentiated management reduces maintenance while highlighting the park’s natural beauty. This approach gives the owners a place to enjoy nature without intensive upkeep.
2. Creating Functional Spaces Around the Building
Next, we focused on the placement of spaces around the main house to facilitate smooth circulation and a refined aesthetic, all within a bohemian and rural atmosphere.
- Naturalistic plantings at the heart of the park: We installed large naturalistic plant beds near the house, mixing grasses and perennials for year-round blooms. These beds add sophistication while maintaining a free, natural look.
- Vegetable garden and fruit wall: A vegetable garden was placed below the house, next to a historic fruit wall. This placement keeps the garden close to the house while blending discreetly with the landscape, adding authenticity and charm to the property.
This layout centralizes maintenance around the main house, reducing interventions in the park’s other areas while making a visual impact.
3. Respecting the Site: Authenticity and Elegance in a historical garden
The Neauphle-le-Château park is a place full of history. Our goal was to respect the site and its character. HORUS Paysages integrated design into a process that preserves and enhances the natural setting.
- Intervening without overwhelming the landscape: We drew inspiration from the natural slopes and undulations of the land for the garden’s design. Each curve of the path and each bend in the walkways follows the landscape’s natural contours, blending seamlessly without dominating it.
- Highlighting historic trees: We preserved certain old trees, including a majestic cedar, and integrated them into the garden’s paths. These iconic trees provide shade and visual anchors, adding to the historical narrative while enhancing the view.
- Reviving natural perspectives: We advised removing invasive trees and shrubs to open the view of the hill and the land’s natural contours. Clearing these areas revealed natural perspectives and added depth to the garden, inviting exploration.
Our approach was discreet, honoring the park’s original identity while adding contemporary aesthetic dimension.
4. Material Choices: Tradition and Durability for an Exceptional historical Garden
For such a historically significant site, we chose natural, durable materials that harmonize with the surrounding landscape. Every element was selected to preserve the authenticity of the park.
- Natural gravel paths: The gravel paths blend seamlessly into the landscape, offering pleasant, smooth circulation. This material choice ensures durability while maintaining the site’s rustic charm.
- Raw wood fences: We installed wooden fences to define certain areas without disrupting the site’s harmony. The natural material blends into the landscape, creating a rustic and elegant atmosphere.
- Vegetal and herbaceous borders: We suggested using plant borders rather than artificial materials around the beds and meadows. This subtle transition enhances the different areas of the garden.
These natural and durable material choices combine aesthetics and environmental respect, ensuring the garden’s beauty endures for years.
5. Encouraging Biodiversity and Simplifying Maintenance
Finally, we aimed to create a sustainable management system that supports the local ecosystem and encourages biodiversity. The project respects the local flora and fauna while minimizing human intervention.
- Natural meadows and mowing zones: We limited mowed areas and created natural meadows, providing a habitat for insects, birds, and small animals. These spaces also allow native plants to thrive.
- Traditional orchard: Reintroducing the orchard added authenticity while supporting biodiversity by attracting pollinators and preserving local fruit varieties.
- Eco-friendly vegetable garden: Near the house, the vegetable garden is maintained using environmentally friendly practices. This ensures fresh vegetable and fruit production while staying in harmony with the park’s natural setting.
These design choices have made the garden a living space. We created an ecosystem where every element has its place while reducing maintenance through eco-friendly gardening practices.
The 19th-century park at Neauphle-le-Château strikes a balance between old-world charm and contemporary simplicity. HORUS Paysages successfully transformed this space into a natural, elegant retreat. This challenge was met through differentiated management, respecting the site’s historical character and prioritizing natural materials.
In this garden, every path, curve, and meadow invites owners and guests to a peaceful, rejuvenating walk. Free from urban constraints, the park offers a chance to rediscover the beauty of authentic gardens, providing a unique experience close to nature.
THE PROJECT IN A FEW WORDS:
- Area: 2ha
- Location: Neauphle-le-Chateau
- Design: HORUS Landscapes
- Execution: STRUCTUREL, CCA Perrot
A landscape project is a living project, in tune with the place and its inhabitants… Let’s talk!
