The magnificent Castle of " Merville ", just thirty minutes from Toulouse !.
- Franck BRUGUIERE
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
INTRODUCTION :
Everyone knows it : Toulouse and its region are where only airplanes are built !.
Dont't worry, my friends, I'm just joking !.
After all this time reading me, I hope you know that Toulouse is not just a transit city.
Indeed, you can stay there, discover all the beautiful it has to offer, and take a day to visit all the wonderful tourist sites around Toulouse.
Today, I begin by introducing to you the fabulous " Merville Castle ", located just 30 minutes from Toulouse.
The history of the Site :
Originally, " Merville" is believed to take its name from the Gallo-Roman villa known as the " Villa d'Ormer ".
It survived until 14th. century, thanks to its agricultural economy.
Later, the villa was completely destroyed during the passage of the English armies through southwestern France in the " Hundred Years "!.
In the Middle Ages, in the village of " Merville ", there were two manor houses.
The construction of the magnificent castle of " Merville " as we know it today did not begin until 1743!.
It was Marquis " Henri-Augute de Chaluet-Rochemonteix ", the owner of the estate, who designed the plans for this fabulous building himself.
Thus, under the " Ancient Régime ", the Toulouse notably gathered in these remarkable settings, and many elegant parties took place among gardens and castle.
The construction work took fifteen years !.
The Castle and the Park :
The Castle :
-Architecture :
Its construction dates back to the 18th. century, it is typical of the Toulouse region, built from terracotta bricks, of which 300 000 were used!.
The castle has been fully restored and is U-shared.
The central building is fifty meters long and the features a magnificent triangular pediment at the top.
Finally, on it left and right, two beautiful L-shaped building, each 92 meters long and 28 meters wide.
These two L-shaped building give the whole structure sense of elegance.
The terrace on the rear axis of the castle extends for about 100 meters in length and 10 meters in width.
It is enclosed by a wrought-iron balustrade.
After a remarkable vestibule, flanked by paintings depicting the ancestors of the current owners, one enters the " Chinese salon " .
It is large octogonal drawing room opening widely onto the park.
The room in entirely decorated with eighteen oil-painted wood panels.
These panels depict, in very well-preserved pastel tones, scenes from everyday life.
Inside the castle, the rooms are arranged in a row.
The great surprise inside the castle is the magnificent collection of " Flemish " wall tapestries dating fron the reign of " François Ier. ".
Finally, in the noble rooms of the castle, we can admire numerous paintings and sculptures from the 16th. to 19th. century depicting the successive generations of owners, all from the same lineage!.
The Park :
There is large, covering forty hectares !.
It is characterized by numerous beautiful boxwood alleys designed by " Le Nôtre " , the creator of the gardens of " Versailles " .
The project was so ambitious that it was only completed in our time.
The main arrival to the castle through the park is magnificent, two large " umbrella pines " form an entrance to an impressive six-hundred-meters perpective, completed by an elegant basin with a water jet.
Most of the " French-style gardens " spread out in front of the castle terrace.
Very much in vogue in the 19th. century, under the influence of " English-style gardens ", flower beds began to appear.
The great surprise this castle also offers is its maze:
It also dates back to the eighteenth century and is the largest boxwood maze in Europe!.
( Six kilometers of boxwood hedges set beneath oak trees).
It covers four hectares!.
Since 2005, it has been open to the public, and it is a large open-air game.
It will delight both children and adults.
Goosebumps guaranteed !.
The castle hosts events throughout its opening season.
You already have an example in my photos : on that day, the castle had the feel of the " Venice Carnival " !.
At Easter, a Catholics celebration, chocolate eggs are hidden and hundred in the castle's magnificent boxwood maze.
It also hosts many different events, such as wedding.
Toulouse offers its magnificent historic city center.
However, just outside the Pink City, you cal also spend a day visiting remarkable historical sites.
Welcome in Toulouse.
The blog from Toulouse.
Best regards, Franck.
Please check the castle opening season schedule, including its magnificent maze8;
Email : labyrinthe@chateau-merville.com
Instagram/Facebook : labyrinthedemerville.com
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