Château Gaillard, Heritage castle in Alès, France
Château Gaillard is a fortified castle in Alès featuring thick limestone walls, multiple inner courtyards, and defensive structures on elevated ground. The property extends across gardens with terraces and wooded areas that connect different sections of the entire estate.
The castle was founded in the early 16th century and gained significance when it became a center for garden design and orange tree cultivation. This transformation shaped the estate's development and made it an important place for horticultural experimentation in the region.
The estate served as a center for horticultural innovation and orange cultivation, which is reflected in how the gardens and grounds are laid out. Visitors can still see traces of this gardening tradition in the structured plantings and older trees throughout the property.
The estate can be explored on marked paths that vary in difficulty and pass through wooded areas and gardens. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear since some paths can be uneven and the elevated location means some walks require more effort.
The property served military purposes in medieval times before later being transformed into a center for horticultural innovation. This shift from military to peaceful use shows how French noble culture changed its priorities over the centuries.
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