The Secret Garden of King Henry IV: A Peek into the Amorous Gardening Life of

In the heart of France, nestled within the heart of a town called Nérac, lies a hidden tale from the 16th century. This tale centers around Henry I d'Albret, the grandfather of the infamous Henri IV, who created an oasis, a delightful garden known as the 'Jardins du Roy'. This garden was inspired by the Songe de Poliphile, a Renaissance garden design. The entrance to this heavenly garden could be found through a pavilion-porche, adorned with royal arms.

A pavilion, now lost to the passage of time, was known as the 'Palais des Mariannes', built by Jean III d'Albret, father of Henry de Navarre (also known as Henri IV), for his lover Marianne Alespée. The garden was a visual delight, with geometric parterres and walkways decked with exotic vines and plants. Henry IV himself added an allée towards the Las Poupettes fountain, and even planted an orchard of lime trees. In more recent times, a Renaissance-style garden was created in 2008 near the Pavillon des Bains du Roi.

Since 2006, the commune of Nérac has been purchasing parcels of the old Jardin du Roi to ensure its continuity with the castle. Follow the romantic and horticultural journey of King Henry IV in the heart of France, and today, the last surviving piece of the Jardins du Roy, the Pavillon des Bains du Roi, stands as a testament to the harmony of history, architecture, and nature. The Pavillon des Bains du Roi was given the name 'Bains du Roy' in the 19th century and was officially recognized as a historic monument on April 25, 1931.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons