Château de la Ballue
CastleHidden Treasure
Château de la Ballue, located in Bazouges-la-Pérouse (Département 35), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Bazouges-la-Pérouse, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.4422, -1.5385
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090503
Perché sur les marches de Bretagne, le château de la Ballue charme par son architecture du Grand Siècle et ses jardins baroque-classiques extraordinaires, véritable labyrinthe de verdure où bosquets mystérieux et théâtres de charmilles se succèdent à l'infini.
History
Standing on a hill between Combourg and Fougères, on the borders of Brittany and Maine, Château de la Ballue is one of those residences that combine with equal elegance the nobility of classical architecture and the exuberant fantasy of an exceptional garden. Its panoramic setting overlooking the hedged farmlands of Ille-et-Vilaine gives it a discreet majesty, that of the great provincial residences that have never needed ostentation to assert their presence. What really sets La Ballue apart from the other châteaux in the region is the remarkable intelligence of its gardens. Recreated in 1973 according to a vision that is both learned and poetic, they are laid out in a succession of "green rooms" whose scenographic richness has nothing to envy of the great creations of the seventeenth century: the bosquet of scents, the mysterious bosquet, the circular theatre, the temple of Diana, the labyrinth... Each space constitutes a world in its own right, separated from the others by plant walls of hornbeam pruned with a very French rigour. It's a rare experience: you can wander around as much as you admire, guided by perspectives skilfully created on a steeply sloping site. The cascading terraces, inherited from the eighteenth century, add to this effect of natural theatricality, while the avenue of lime trees and the 450-metre long grove of fir trees invite you to take a meditative stroll. Families, photographers and garden art enthusiasts will all find something to marvel at here. The château itself, with its central main building flanked by two wings, is a fine example of classical Breton architecture from the early 18th century. The former orangery, converted into an exhibition space devoted to the art of gardening, is an ideal extension of the outdoor visit and offers a welcome cultural perspective. At La Ballue, architecture and landscape form an indissociable whole, a total work of art to be discovered as you walk along and through the seasons.
Architecture
Château de la Ballue's sober, well-proportioned classical architecture is typical of the noble residences built in eastern Brittany in the early 18th century. The U-shaped plan - a central main building extended by two wings forming an open main courtyard - is one of the most accomplished formulas of French provincial classicism, inspired by the great Parisian models while retaining a human scale and a strong regional identity. The facades, probably in granite or local schist plastered in accordance with the building tradition of the Rennes region, demonstrate a pared-back elegance in which the arrangement of openings takes precedence over ornamentation. The interior boasts some fine 18th-century decorations, including early and mid-century carved wood panelling in several rooms of the main building. This panelling, characteristic of the Regency and Louis XV styles, is rare for a residence of this size in rural Brittany. The outbuildings, arranged around the north and east courtyards, form a well-preserved functional ensemble: the former large stable and clock tower to the north, the cellar, two sheds and a central passageway to the east. The garden is an architectural work in its own right. Organised on a steeply sloping site (45%), it is laid out in successive terraces linked by stone steps and punctuated by perpendicular-cut arbours. The composition, combining influences from the French garden (symmetry, perspectives, carpet of greenery) and more Baroque motifs (circular theatre, labyrinth, Temple of Diana), creates an exceptionally dense spatial experience on less than a hectare of land.
Related Figures
Gilles Ruellan — marchand breton enrichi, acheteur de la terre en 1620 et commanditaire du premier châteauFrançois Hébert-Stevens — paysagiste, auteur du jardin à la française (1973-1977)Paul Maymond — paysagiste, concepteur du jardin en diagonale (1975)Les maîtres verriers du XIXe siècle — exploitants industriels ayant reconverti le château en verrerieLes propriétaires du XVIIIe siècle — commanditaires de la reconstruction de 1705 et des boiseries intérieures
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château de la Ballue located?
Château de la Ballue is located in Bazouges-la-Pérouse, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Château de la Ballue built?
Château de la Ballue dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château de la Ballue open to visitors?
Château de la Ballue is currently closed to visitors.
