To be discovered at this very moment...

Every season, every moment, the park and gardens of the Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil have surprises in store for visitors and garden lovers...

In the rose garden, after the magnificent flowering of the old roses last June, the many colours of the remontant roses are mixed with the intense blue of the lavender, sage and perovskia.

In the heart of the second Carthusian monastery, a curiosity emerges: the sculpted orchard dedicated to the fruit forms of La Quintinie.

The insect castle, a magnificent companion structure, is built to attract auxiliary insects that will fight against predatory insects. A great way to deal with the number one enemy of fruit trees.

insect castle


The landscaped park, which can be explored on a walk around the ramparts along the moat, is dotted with remarkable trees.

To the left of the Châtelet, the bald cypress. This monumental tree, originally from Louisiana, was introduced into France by Lafayette, who gave it to Marie-Antoinette. If it became her favourite tree, it is very useful in Ainay-le-Vieil because it stabilises the banks of the moat thanks to its pneumatophores. Roots that emerge from the earth, real plant sculptures that allow it to breathe.


In the centre of the courtyard, the Gingko Biloba or thousand-coin tree, which takes on superb golden colours in autumn. Known to be extremely resistant, the atomic blast of Hiroshima did not get the better of it, it is considered the oldest tree in the world.


Opposite the Chapel Tower, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the two hundred year old oak whose branches touch and spread out on the ground.


The various paths through the park and gardens are punctuated by a collection of yew topiaries, many of which are topped by a bird of peace. The ideal setting for a souvenir photo as a tribute to the art of gardening.

topiaries