Built in the 1760s, the Château de Bouges, located near Valençay, elegantly illustrates the 18th century arts. When Claude Leblanc de Carnaval bought the estate in 1765, the old building that had been there until then was demolished to make way for a "Italian-style house"This new, stylish building reflects the ambition of the wealthy ironmaster, who had risen to prominence in Parisian finance and had recently been ennobled. Ruined twelve years later, his château was seized and sold. During the 19th century, it passed through a succession of owners, including Prince Talleyrand and Henri Dufour, who restored the château and landscaped the grounds in the English style.
Le The castle owes its transformation primarily to the Viguier couple. Henry, director of a large Parisian department store, and his wife Renée. Acquired in 1917, the Bouges castle has returned to its original purpose as a sumptuous residenceThe Viguier couple breathed new life into the castle through...acquisition of exceptional furniture dating from the 18th centurywhich perfectly expresses the taste for well-being and refinement characteristic of the society of that era, in harmony with its setting. Having no descendants, they bequeathed the château to the State in 1967.
Elegantly constructed in the Italian style, the charm of this castle lies in its lived-in feel. a visit that will transport you to the elegance of the 18th century After visiting the castle, don't miss the opportunity to explore the English-style park designed by landscape architect Achille Duchêne at the beginning of the 20th centuryThe winding paths offer varied views of the castle throughout the walk. The stone balustrade separates the park from the formal French garden where boxwood parterres and clipped yews are bordered by linden trees.
The former kitchen garden, transformed into a flower garden by Madame Viguier, is now dedicated to growing flowers used in the bouquets that adorn the rooms of the château. A visit to the outbuildings, comprising the stables, tack room, and orangery, reveals Henri Viguier's passion for horsemanship.
