The Restoration of the Parc du Château de Villette 2023-2026

The historic park of the Château de Villette is currently undergoing a major restoration project aimed at preserving its cultural heritage while ensuring its vitality for future generations. Led by the estate's head gardener, Aivars Zvidris, this initiative combines respect for tradition with a sustainable vision for the future.

One of the key aspects of the project involves carefully thinning wooded areas that have become too dense. Over time, the vegetation had grown unchecked, blocking historic views and disrupting the harmony of the original landscape design. The selective removal of dead or weakened trees, as well as invasive undergrowth, restores light and balance to the park's emblematic vistas.

At the same time, new trees are being planted with particular care. The chosen species reflect both the estate's historical identity and current ecological conditions. These plantings not only help to reestablish the park's classic structure, but also strengthen biodiversity and ensure the long-term health of its natural environment.

The restoration is being carried out in close collaboration with experts in landscape architecture and heritage conservation, drawing on historical plans and iconographic archives. This approach guarantees the authenticity of the work while integrating contemporary standards of environmental management.

The work undertaken at the Château de Villette represents much more than a simple technical intervention in the landscape: it is a true investment in cultural memory and the vitality of nature. As the park regains its original character, it once again becomes a place of harmony, inspiration, and contemplation, where history and nature engage in a timeless dialogue.


CDV timeline for garden restorations

  FIRST  RESTORATION – (1948) - after WWII, the park was damaged (including by bombs - during the Second World War, on Sunday, August 27, 1944, around 4 p.m., the estate was bombed, destroying the chapel and the orangery, which were immediately rebuilt) and was “entièrement restauré” in 1948 under the direction of the landscape/parks specialist Ferdinand Duprat.

  SECOND RESTORATION – (1960-?) During the 1960s, the estate was restored by its owner (Robert Gérard) and then sold by his heirs to Chinese-American Olivia Hsu Decker in 1998.

  THIRD  RESTORATION - (2013)
The landscape agency Jean-Baptiste Duchêne carried out a project for the park, with missions including:

  • A preliminary study for restoring central parts of the domain: the Cour des Communs, Cour d’Honneur, the Parterre, and the Bosquets of the cascade.
  • Preparation of a tender dossier (Dossier de Consultation des Entreprises).
  • Assistance to follow up the work on site.

The program of intervention for that restoration included:

  • Hydraulic work (cleaning out the two ponds / water bodies; restoration of hydraulic control structures)
  • Restoring the landscape features:
    • Reestablishing the Grand Perspective East-West
    • Replanting the alignments at the Cour des Communs
    • Restoring the Parterre (lawn pieces cut)
    • Refilling the bosquets known as the cascade bosquets

  FOURTH RESTORATION (2014-2016)

  • Major restoration campaign from about 2014, under architect-decorator Jacques Garcia.

  FIFTH RESTORATION (2022-2025)
Aivars Zvidris & Zvidris FR carried out a maintenance and restoration of the Villette park, including new plantings for the park:

  • A old wood cleaning works (selective removal of dead or weakened trees, as well as invasive undergrowth)
  • Preparation and creation of a new lawns in park
  • Planting of new trees - creation of new Platanus hispanica alley
  • Planting of new trees – creation of new Quercus petrea alley
  • new conifers - magnolia zone with excellent collection of conifers and magnolias
  • implementation of a conifers hedges and new leaf trees in cleaned wooden zones
  • maintenance of all park, including central part with French garden
  • planting of Laurus noblis in Versailles planters  in front of central entrance (Cour d’Honneur)
  • Restoriation the old rosariums with new collection of Andre Eve roses
  • Restoration of the Kitchen-garden