Discover lovely gardens close to Bayeux
Gardens of Château de Brécy
+ a recommendation for a nearby restaurant
Castillon Gardens
Gardens of Château de Brécy
15 minutes by car from Bayeux. A very quiet site in the beautiful Normandy countryside.
A very nice French garden with four terraces whose perspective gives the impression of rising to the sky ending with an elegant iron gate of the 17th century.
The arrival at the castle and gardens is majestic by a splendid alley lined with lime trees (from Bayeux, direction Esquay-sur-Seulles / Creully. See below my explanations).
Dating from the mid- 17th century, the garden of Brécy is one of the last of this period remaining in France. You will see a mix of influences from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The château (which cannot be visited, it’s a private property) dates from the 1620s and the garden was created and developped between 1646 and 1697.
The lovely Sainte-Anne church on the property dating from the 14th century was beautifully renovated.
There followed periods of embellishment and abandon until 1958 when Jacques de Lacretelle and his wife saved the site.
Now, the property has been owned by Didier Wirth since 1992. He and his wife Barbara restored some elements and beautified the garden.
Website HERE.
Jardins du Château de Brécy*
8 rue du Château, Hameau de Brécy
14480 Creully-sur-Seulles
* My recommended route from Bayeux for a beautiful arrival by the alley lined with lime trees :
1- From Bayeux, take the direction Esquay-sur-Seulles.
2- Once in Esquay, continue straight on the D126 (Route de Creully).
3- Turn left onto D35 towards Saint-Gabriel-Brécy/Creully.
4- Continue on the D35 for 600m then turn right on a narrow country road. Be vigilant because there is no sign !
5- Continue straight for 1.7 km and you will arrive in front of the entrance of Château de Brécy.
- Open from Easter to All Saints’ Day (early November)
– Open on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and public holidays and also on Saturday in June.
– From 2:30pm to 6:30pm
– Possible visit on other days by appointment by email or phone :
lesjardinsdebrecy@gmail.com
Ph : 02 31 80 11 48 - Duration of visit : 30-45 minutes, no guided tour.
- Entrance fee : around 10 euros / Cash payment.
Eat at HOSTELLERIE SAINT-MARTIN in Creully-sur-Seulles, an 8-minute drive from Brécy Gardens
Hostellerie Saint-Martin
6, place Edmond Paillaud, 14480 Creully-sur-Seulles
Website HERE
– Open every day for lunch and dinner.
Reservation recommended for Sunday and during the high season.
– A good traditional restaurant located in a very beautiful vaulted room (the former market halls) dating from the 13th-16th centuries.
– Menus from 19 to 43 euros, children’s menu (-12) and à la carte dishes.
Castillon Gardens
15 minutes by car from Bayeux on the way to Château of Balleroy. You can visit them both on the same day.
This unique and so beautiful private garden was created by Colette Sainte Beuve gardener and pioneer in the nursery of perennials. Indeed, she was one of the first, in the early 80s, to import from England plants previously unknown in France.
She succeeded with the collaboration of the French artist François Houtin (a landscape gardener, painter and engraver, also known for his imaginary gardens), to stage a magnificent renewal of the flowers and foliage throughout the year.
It is a garden of a very high botanic richness.
Many of the perennials of the garden can be bought in the nursery located at the entrance.
You can also enjoy a hot or cold drink at the « Coin du repos », on the terrace or in the indoor tea room.
Website HERE.
Les Jardins de Castillon
D73, 14490 Castillon
- Open from May 1st to September 30th, 2024.
– From Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm-5:30pm
– Sunday and public holidays : 2:30pm-5:30pm. - Entrance fee : around 8 euros / Children 4-15 : 4 euros / Free under 4.
