The Park of the Castle of Ravalet
Property of the Town of Cherbourg since 1935, the present state of the park is the creation of the Viscount René de Tocqueville (1834-1917), nephew to Alexis, author of "Democracy in America".
The fortune of his two successive wives permitted him to restore and embellish the antique property of the Ravelet family, built during the Renaissance. The memory of siblings Julien and Marguerite de Ravalet, decapitated at Grève Place in 1603 because of their incestuousrelationship, remains to this day attached to the history of the site.
From 1872, improvements to the entire site of 12 ha, dominated by its English layout, have created one of the most attractive gardens in Cotentin. Basins and ponds traversed by black swans, lawns, and luxuriant trees are admired by visitors. Elegant aviaries of rare birds contribute to the enchantment of the area.
A huge greenhouse, one of the most spectacular of the 19th century preserved in Lower Normandy, shelters exotic plants and shrubs (palm trees, banana plants, cacti, and creepers) installed around an artificial rock formation.
In 1921, a magnificent artificial cascade several stories high with torrents, attracted many visitors. A forest, crossed by wide avenues, offers an agreeable area for walking.
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The modern electric installation supplies water for the park and provides brilliant flood-lighting of the château, the greenhouse, the grotto and the court of honour: a spectacle which never fails to attract many Sunday visitors.
Illuminations even more sumptuous, with Bengal lights, floating lanterns, and coloured lanterns everywhere, are offered on holidays such as Saint Jean Day. It’s not surprising that Barbey d’Aurevilly was inspired by the property of the Ravelet for "A Page of History".
Based on an article of Bruno Centorame
appearing in " Art of Lower Normandy " N° 104, 4e Trim 1995
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Elegantes Bauwerk in Still der italienischen Renaissance
(16. Jahrhundert) IAußenanlagen und Park kostenlos zugänglich.
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Alle Montage ausser Feiertagen, kostenlose geführte Besuche von 3.07 bis 31.08. |
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