Château de Longpra

In the 18th century the Château de Longpra, in the Isère, and its park were profoundly transformed. The austere fortified house became a fine Louis XVI residence. The courtyard was closed by huge gates, and an octagonal pool with a rounded rim was placed in the centre, fed by clear water from nearby springs.

The most original achievement was putting water back in the moats, making the house and its garden an island. The layout of the formal garden in front of the château can still be seen in the lawn of the south terrace, surrounded by the moats reflecting the château and, further off, the graceful groves, hills, meadows and fields around the park. To the north, a planting of now two-hundred-year-old lime and chestnut trees is listed. Its setting, the water continuing the garden and its close link with the surrounding landscape make this originally classical garden part of the landscape movement.

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