Château de Kerlevénan

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

Kerlevenan castle was built around 1780 by the architect Johannes (or Jouanne), for the Gouvello family, on the site of an old manor. The architect also designed the French garden initially planned, which was never completely completed: it remained unfinished when the estate was sold at the Revolution as national property. Among the ornamental buildings planned by the Marquis, two were completed: the Temple of Love and the Chinese pavilion, as well as a basin and stairs. In the 19th century, the castle, very badly damaged, was repurchased by the Gouvello family who had the entrance steps rebuilt and had an English garden designed. The terraces were remodeled, clumps and wooded areas created to open up perspectives over the Gulf of Morbihan, the Temple of Love was converted into a chapel, and a greenhouse was built. One of the originalities of this park thus lies in this intertwining of two styles and two worlds, clearly perceptible. But from the beginning of the 20th century, the owner was reconstituting in front of the south façade a hemicycle parterre and a straight path, opening the possibility of a potential reconstitution of the French garden.