Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Ballue, located in Bazouges-la-Perouse in Ille-et-Vilaine, is a 17th-century building rebuilt in 1705. It was erected by Gilles de Ruellan, who acquired the land in 1620 after demolishing a medieval fortress dating from the tenth century. This strategic site, overlooking the countries of Combourg and Fougères, was fortified from the Carolingian era and served as a refuge during the wars of the League (16th century). The present Louis XIII style castle consists of a central house body flanked by two wings, with interiors preserving 18th century woodwork.

In the 19th century, the castle housed a glass factory specializing in gobeletery, while its gardens, recreated from 1973 onwards, combined garden with French (by François Hébert-Stevens) and baroque garden (by Paul Maymont). These plant spaces, inspired by 16th-17th century models, include a 1500-if maze attributed to Le Corbusier, thematic groves (music, scents), and an orangery transformed into an exhibition hall. The terraces, existing since the 18th century, offer a panorama that inspired Chateaubriand.

Ranked a Historical Monument in 1999 and labeled "Remarkable Garden" in 2005, the estate received the 2nd European Garden Prize (2017) for its restoration. His gardens, frequented by artists like Niki de Saint Phalle or Antoni Tàpies, combine historical heritage and contemporary creation. Threatened by neighbouring agricultural projects (porcine and cattle farms), they are the subject of a citizen mobilisation via the Support Committee Jardins de la Ballue.

The architecture of the castle, although classical, has a notable anomaly: the central axis of the facade does not correspond to any structural element, revealing a partial lack of knowledge of the classical rules by its designer. At the back, the facade integrates harmoniously with the landscape, overlooking terraced gardens and a pond. The commons retain a large stable, a clock tower, and sheds, while the rabine (aisle planted with fir trees) and the Renaissance baroque orchard complete this exceptional ensemble.

External links