History
Les Jardins de La Serrée was opened for the first time to the public on the occasion of the 28th European Heritage Days on September 17 and 18, 2011, making it possible to unveil this unique private site, hitherto hidden behind its high walls. At the beginning of 2012, the “Remarkable Garden” label crowned the rehabilitation efforts undertaken by the current owners since the acquisition of the property in 2005.
The model of garden which dominates the XVIIth century and a large part of the XVIIIth century is that inspired by Le Nôtre where rigor, regularity and mastery of nature by man are the key words. The end of the 18th century and the 19th century saw the installation of another style of garden in France, inherited from England and closely linked to painting and philosophy. We are talking about a landscaped and irregular garden.
However, the transition from the regular style to the irregular style went through a period of transition, which very often resulted in a cohabitation of the two styles. Thus, at first the immediate surroundings of the castle keep a regular structure, while the more distant spaces are treated more freely.
Geometric plan of the La Serrée Gardens, municipality of Mesmont, belonging to Mr Just RAMEAU, Inspector of water and forests in the Inspection of Is-sur-Tille, raised by the undersigned surveyor, October 12, 1818
The layout of La Serrée's outdoor spaces fits precisely into this scenario of aesthetic cohabitation. Indeed, the castle park is made up of two distinct landscaped areas, each offering a very distinct stylistic identity. The immediate surroundings of the castle are very structured while the valley presents a free and sinuous course. It is the combination of these two styles that makes all the originality of La Serrée garden.
After major restoration work, the gardens remained essentially as they were imagined and created at the end of the 18th century by the then owner, Just RAMEAU.
Parents of the famous musician but infinitely less known, Just RAMEAU became owner of La Serrée in 1789, by succession, while he was still a lawyer in the Parliament of Burgundy.
During the following years, from 1790 to 1794, he transformed the mansion into a "charming dwelling" in Louis XVI style - the current castle - and had the "French garden" established at the foot of the facade of the terraced gardens. and the orchard, which in a completely different style completes the "romantic valley" of the Goulotte stream, which it plants with various forest species. During these years, Just RAMEAU was successively a member of the Executive Board of the Côte d'Or department then a member of the National Convention ...
His garden, the Jardins de La Serrée, is a reflection of his personality: like him, unknown, it is to be discovered!
Just RAMEAU, 1748 - 1827
Useful information
A word from the owners:
" Dear Walkers,
We look forward to welcoming you to the Jardins de La Serrée.
We remind you here of some basic principles so that, when the day comes, your walk takes place in the best conditions.
The walk must be done with a guide, in small groups of five or six people maximum.
The Gardens of La Serrée are private property, so we would ask you to respect both the prohibitions that are reported or that you may encounter that flower beds, lawns, stone walls and other ornaments that result from a long and patient work of rehabilitation.
Be careful, the property contains potentially dangerous places (presence of many water points, steep slopes ...). We decline in advance any responsibility within the framework of your discovery of the garden, the parents being in particular responsible for the supervision of their children.
For the same security reasons, we regret that we cannot accommodate our dog friends with you.
With these few recommendations, we hope you will have a very pleasant visit soon. "
Tours of the Garden are open from " Rendez-vous aux jardins " to " European Heritage Days " . They are made by appointment . Find all the useful information in the "Contact Us" section on the home page.