Visit of Pennautier Castle and GARDENS

The Château de Pennautier was built in 1620 by Bernard Rech de Pennautier, Treasurer of the States of Languedoc. His remarkable charge required remarkable visibility and his castle had to be grandiose. As early as 1622, he welcomed King Louis XIII who donated his travel furniture classified as a Historic Monument. Pierre-Louis de Pennautier, his son, a powerful and refined man, was like his father, Treasurer of the States of Languedoc then he became Receiver General of the Clergy of France, an even more considerable charge. Very prominent, he entrusted Le Vau, the architect of Versailles, with the elevation of the wings of the castle and Le Nôtre with the design of the French gardens. Witness to the great hours of history, the family has developed the culture of wine and excellence. Today, the chateau is an open door to the French art of living. Completely restored in 2009, the protected Historic Monument combines the beauty of the heritage and the region, the charm of a family home and the modernity of a site adapted to receptions, and the most memorable events.

The Park, remarkable for its size and location, is a magnificent witness to its time: ‘à la française’ and designed by le Nôtre in the 17th century, ‘à l’anglaise’ in the 19th century, it is today a reflection of the present time. The part near the castle was restored in the French style in the 20th century. Memories of the English-style park are omnipresent: ruins and rockeries, walk around the park (1.7km), rare trees, paths of boxwood, pines and bicentenary cedars. The Chardonnay vine made its debut in 1998. 1st prize for gardens flowers of the Aude in 2016, 2017, it had just received the prestigious labelJardin Remarquable’. The park also includes the family chapel, built with the castle. It welcomed prayers from generations of inhabitants. Masses are celebrated there regularly by visiting priests.

Respect for the terroir and the environment is fundamental to the Lorgeril family’s work, with estates conducted in organic, reasoned agriculture and certified High Environmental Value Level 3.

The GARDENS in PICTURES

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