Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The castle of Digeon, located in the commune of Morvillers-Saint-Saturnin in the department of the Somme (Hauts-de-France), is distinguished by its neo-classical architecture combining brick and stone. Built in a typical Second Empire style, it embodies the evolution of 19th-century aristocratic residences, with an adjacent farm model built between 1860 and 1868. This farm, transformed from ancient commons, illustrates the agricultural advances of the period, combining functionality and architectural aesthetics.

The estate is organized around four major ensembles: the castle itself, the model farm, an English landscaped park of two hectares, and a French vegetable garden. The park, preserved in its original layout, is home to remarkable species such as a 38-metre giant redwood and a botanical trail dedicated to picard perennials. The vegetable garden, reconstructed on its historical location, alternates vegetables, shrubs and perennial plants, surrounded by boxwood borders, typical of 19th century gardens.

The facades and roofs of the castle, as well as the park (including the vegetable garden), were listed as historical monuments by order of 27 December 2004. The model farm was ranked separately on October 10, 2005, highlighting its outstanding heritage value. The estate also includes ornamental elements such as a water body, a waterfall, caves and nymphs, reflecting the influence of 19th-century picturesque gardens.

The floral garden of the castle, although private property, is open to the public, offering an immersion in an architectural, agricultural and landscaped heritage. The rose garden, located behind the farm, gathers dozens of varieties of modern and old roses, extending the horticultural vocation of the estate. These spaces, protected and maintained, bear witness to a legacy where technical innovation and garden art respond.

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