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Origin and history

The Pavillon des Bains du Roi, located in Nérac, New Aquitaine, is an octagonal building built in the 16th century on the banks of the Bay. It was part of the Jardins du Roy, a Renaissance garden created in 1529 by Henry I of Albret, grandfather of Henry IV, inspired by the Song of Poliphile. This Italian garden, enclosed and decorated with geometric flooring, served as a place for walking and relaxation for the courtyard. The pavilion, initially a snack place, is the only remaining utility building of this complex.

The Jardins du Roy were enriched under Jeanne d'Albret with geometric beds, then by Henri IV (1576-1586), who planted an abalone alley, laurels, cypresses and fruit trees. The pavilion, called the Mariana Palace in the 16th century, was associated with the romantic encounters of Henri de Navarre with his mistress Marianne Alespée, as narrated by Marguerite d'Angoulême in L'Heptameron. After 1621, the gardens were attached to the royal estate and sold in 1795. The pavilion, renamed Bains du Roy in the 19th century, was listed as a historic monument in 1931.

Architecturally, the pavilion is distinguished by its octagonal plan, its stone cornice and its curvilinear peak inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Its south facade, extended to the haulage road, preserves flat 16th century tiles. Inside, an apparent frame and chimneys recall its original use. Since 2006, the commune of Nérac has purchased plots to restore the historical continuity between the pavilion and the castle.

The site was the subject of excavations and partial reconstruction in 2008 by landscape architect Hélène Sirieys, recreating a Renaissance evocation garden between the pavilion and the Bay. Today, it bears witness to the legacy of the kings of Navarre and the Renaissance garden art, while offering a picturesque setting in the heart of Nerac.

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