La Bagatelle 

‘Loudon: La Bagatelle?
‘Blaikie: Aye. The Comte d’ Artois made a wager with Marie-Antoinette that he could get the chateau rebuilt in two months. He won the bet and that amused the Queen. Making the garden took longer than building the chateau.’ This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

The Historical Charm of La Bagatelle Garden in Paris

La Bagatelle in Paris flourished as a whimsical and innovative green space, reflecting the spirit of its aristocratic creator and the broader artistic trends of the era. It was commissioned in 1775 by the Comte d'Artois (later King Charles X). La Bagatelle was designed as a pleasure garden within the Bois de Boulogne, a hunting ground on the outskirts of Paris.

The Comte asked François-Joseph Bélanger, to create a beautiful and unique garden in just 64 days, adding to the playful and competitive spirit of the project. Bélanger drew inspiration from the English landscape movement. He designed winding paths, rolling hills, and strategically placed trees and shrubs to create a sense of natural beauty and surprise. The garden was dotted with folies - decorative structures like temples, pavilions, and a grotto. Statues depicted mythological figures and animals. La Bagatelle also had a collection of plants and flowers, showcasing exotic species from around the world. It was used as a backdrop for elegant soirées and social gatherings, where the Parisian elite could mingle and admire the beauty of the surroundings. The Comte d'Artois and his guests would enjoy promenades, picnics, and theatrical performances amidst the verdant setting.

The Artistic and Cultural Context of the design for La Bagatelle

La Bagatelle's creation coincided with the rise of the Anglo-Chinese style in European gardens. This design movement drew inspiration from both English landscape gardens, known for their natural beauty, and Chinese gardens, characterized by their symbolic elements and hidden surprises. The inclusion of winding paths, strategically placed trees, and decorative follies (structures) like temples and a grotto reflected this aesthetic trend. La Bagatelle became a prime example of this innovative style, showcasing its harmonious blend of French elegance and playful English informality.

See also:  Gardenvisit.com Garden Finder entry on Parc Bagatelle