PARK AND GARDENS OF THE CASTLE OF AUTIGNY LA TOUR

Description

The tower is accessible by a double staircase, the front steps of which ARE enriched by an elegant 18th century wrought iron railing, and is also framed by two Louis XV style fire pots.

Opposite, in the centre of a bed decorated with centenary topiaries, stands a statue of the Nymph Erignie, holding the traditional boar's head in her hands.

A few paths lead to a grove which houses an old ice-house and a factory.

One of them is obviously inspired by the Canope of the Villa Adriana in Tivoli. It appears in a preparatory watercolour drawing of a romantically inspired design for the park, made around 1870. This redevelopment was only just beginning to be implemented in the digging of the pools and the creation of the paths. It was probably after a trip to Italy that this reference to the canal that linked Alexandria to the Nile was envisaged. It was probably during this trip that the small white marble ephebe placed in the centre of the parterre of the terrace was brought back.

OPENING HOURS From 8 May to 21 September, Sundays and public holidays, from 3pm to 6pm.

From 15 July to 31 August, every day from 3pm to 6pm except Tuesday