La Roche Jagu

The Garden

The last remaining of a string of fortified sites built between Pontrieux and Bréhat, la Roche Jagu looks down from its battlements onto the banks of the River Trieux. At la Roche Jagu, the river already has a salty taste and - fused with the river Leff - has turned into a large river flowing into the sea. Nicole Chouteau, a renowned historian of the Trégor area, has written about this river “which flows down from the Avaugour area and whose estuary, studded with wonders, runs between Trégor and Goëlo and forms a link between the two. From this role comes its name ("treu" or "trez") which means ‘passage’.”

La Roche Jagu may have witnessed the battle of 936 on the opposite bank on the moors of Plourivo, in which Alain Barbe Torte is said to put an end to a century of invasions by defeating the Normans. While no records do exist, we can reasonably assume that a wooden fortress stood not far from the spot where the structure we know today was built 500 years later.

La Roche Jagu nonetheless suffered greatly from attacks and pillage. The original building dating back to the 11th century was demolished by supporters of Olivier de Clisson in 1394. It was rebuilt in 1405 by Catherine de Troguindy “on condition that the Duke may always enter without obstruction from the aforesaid Catherine”. The building we know today is in much the same spirit as its predecessor, which was strongly residential in character, but also conserves imposing fortifications, particularly on the Northeast façade overlooking the River Trieux. The parapet walk and watchtowers present a defiant aspect against possible attack, whilst the courtyard façade displays stylish ornamentation with its large windows and Gothic decoration.

The lands owned by the Lords of la Roche Jagu were subject to much change between the 13th and the 15th centuries. La Roche Jagu ceased to be lived in following the death of Louis d'Acigné, which is why the living quarters still today have interior architectural features dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The chateau served as a garrison or farm until 1958, when it was given to the Conseil Général des Côtes d'Armor. Nobody lives in the Chateau any more and it is used exclusively for artistic events and exhibitions, very often focussing on the beautiful nature and cultural heritage of the Côtes D'Armor.

From 1958 to 1968 Conseil Général des Côtes du Nord undertook extensive renovation work under the guidance of Jean Sonnier, chief architect of ancient buildings. 1987, after the traumatic experience of hurricane that devastated most of the woodland, the Département decided to lay out a huge park. That is how the 40-hectares Roche Jagu park came into being. The landscape architect Bertrand Paulet created a modern landscape design of medieval inspiration. This project was funded by the Conseil Général des Côtes d'Armor, the Brittany Region and the State. In 1993 the work, scheduled as a multi-stage project spanning well over a decade, started and the park was opened in 1998.

Water, an omnipresent element, tumbles down slopes, spills out from a wall, feeds pools and snakes its way down to the river. Close to the entrance to the grounds, edible and medicinal plants grow in small walled gardens enclosed by trellises of willow and chestnut. In the "Harvest Garden" old corps such as buckwheat, linen and hemp have been planted side by side with their "weeds": cornflowers, camomile, poppies etc. Further on, a palm grove contains numerous exotic species. Palm trees, agaves, camphor and many other garden features combine with nature to form a wonderful, extensive garden. In the "Gardens of Travels", sheltered in the depth of a former quarry, plants are reminders of crusaders returning from the Holy Land and of the Breton sailors who have always been great travellers.

Stroll beside the streams, wind along the Oriental Path and seek out the Silver Rock. Cross the Medicine Garden, pass through the Camellia Wood with almost 200 species and varieties, alongside the pergolas covered in honeysuckle, vine or wisteria and down the Path of the Springs. The Park of Roche Jagu leaves walkers with the impression of being in the imaginary world of ancient Breton tales and the legends of King Arthur.

This again is contrasted by ephemeral gardens that are renewed every two years by landscape gardening students following a competition.

In 2005, the Park was awarded the coveted title "outstanding garden" by French Ministry of Culture and Communication and was featured in May 2005 by "Gardens Illustrated".