PARC DU CHATEAU DE VILLEGLY

Open to visitors every day, the park, like the château, is the property of the Aude departmental authority. In the 19th century, the owner of the estate, Gustave d'Ouvrier, wanted to extend the grounds of the château and obtained permission to divert the course of the river La Clamoux, which ran alongside the château's terrace. The reclaimed arable land was laid to grass and landscaped with flowers and trees. The only remaining reminder of the river’s former course is the little two-arched bridge of medieval origin which still attracts the attention of visitors today. The château took on its current general appearance in the 16th century. It was completely renovated and extended with a projecting front section in the 19th century. At the top of the dormer window on the façade is a pediment bearing the former owner's coat of arms. For the past three years, the château's grounds have been designated an LPO (League for the Protection of Birds) ‘sanctuary’, with bird shelters and the planting of numerous melliferous and nutritious plants, etc.