Dear friend, our ancient woodland estate in the midst of rural Normandy keeps its gates open to garden lovers and spirited souls from all over the world. An ideal setting to retreat, relax, observe nature, open up senses and capture special moments.
HISTORY: Sacro Bosco (or Chateau de Varimpre or Verrerie de Varimpre) was separated from the royal forest (Foret d'Eau) over 1000 years ago soon to serve home for a noble family and as grounds for a glass factory, one of very few acceptable ways for a noble family to directly partake in commerce at that time.
The large chateau and most of the glass factory buildings were abandoned in the early 1930's. In the following sixty years most of them gradually collapsed or were taken down. What remains today is 30 acres of woodland gardens surrounded by the forest and fields with three small houses, the main villa, a garage, and some quite fascinating ruins.
HISTORY: Sacro Bosco (or Chateau de Varimpre or Verrerie de Varimpre) was separated from the royal forest (Foret d'Eau) over 1000 years ago soon to serve home for a noble family and as grounds for a glass factory, one of very few acceptable ways for a noble family to directly partake in commerce at that time.
The large chateau and most of the glass factory buildings were abandoned in the early 1930's. In the following sixty years most of them gradually collapsed or were taken down. What remains today is 30 acres of woodland gardens surrounded by the forest and fields with three small houses, the main villa, a garage, and some quite fascinating ruins.
THE SUMMER HOUSE
This two-story building was originally a bakery of the chateau and the verrerie. A large kitchen/breakfast room and a grand marble bathroom were added in the renovation. The 18th and 19th century furniture and exposed brick of the walls create a very good ambience. Choice of sleeping ground floor or loft bedroom with open view to the vast fireplace.
THE GATE COTTAGE
The Gate Cottage offers good basic comfort with style. There is a sittingroom with a kitchen corner, large bathroom/toilette, bedroom with double bed and an attic as a possible second bedroom for children - or a mother-in-law. The cottage is separated from a small country road by a high hedge.
This two-story building was originally a bakery of the chateau and the verrerie. A large kitchen/breakfast room and a grand marble bathroom were added in the renovation. The 18th and 19th century furniture and exposed brick of the walls create a very good ambience. Choice of sleeping ground floor or loft bedroom with open view to the vast fireplace.
THE GATE COTTAGE
The Gate Cottage offers good basic comfort with style. There is a sittingroom with a kitchen corner, large bathroom/toilette, bedroom with double bed and an attic as a possible second bedroom for children - or a mother-in-law. The cottage is separated from a small country road by a high hedge.
Many of the trees are hundreds of years old. This great variety of giant trees, myriad of wild and planted flowers, bamboo groves, and the ruins together create the quite otherworldly atmosphere of Sacro Bosco.
The "Shelters" of Sacro Bosco
In the future Sacro Bosco will boast four 19th century houses to enjoy. All houses are in a slow process of getting restored to ultimately offer all mod coms to our friends. The property is lined with two quiet local roads and a vinding fields quaranteeing a rare amount of privacy and peace. Apart from the woodland garden with bellveredes and pavillions we have many other facilities to enjoy including: wood-heated sauna for up to 8 people, heated indoor swimming pool, plunge pool (unheated), hammam, bicycles and DVD/video library with more than 400 titles.
In the future Sacro Bosco will boast four 19th century houses to enjoy. All houses are in a slow process of getting restored to ultimately offer all mod coms to our friends. The property is lined with two quiet local roads and a vinding fields quaranteeing a rare amount of privacy and peace. Apart from the woodland garden with bellveredes and pavillions we have many other facilities to enjoy including: wood-heated sauna for up to 8 people, heated indoor swimming pool, plunge pool (unheated), hammam, bicycles and DVD/video library with more than 400 titles.
plus The Cascaret
A fantastic 30 min walk through the state forest Foret d'Eau (or 15 min drive away) separates this utterly charming little "satellite" from the main lands of Sacro Bosco. According to one legend it was originally built for a mole catcher's family in the 17th or 18th century. Cascaret still has its three very small bedrooms from a sitting room/kitchen with very large fireplace, all in near-original condition. A perfect place for a picnic thus - or writing a poem!
A fantastic 30 min walk through the state forest Foret d'Eau (or 15 min drive away) separates this utterly charming little "satellite" from the main lands of Sacro Bosco. According to one legend it was originally built for a mole catcher's family in the 17th or 18th century. Cascaret still has its three very small bedrooms from a sitting room/kitchen with very large fireplace, all in near-original condition. A perfect place for a picnic thus - or writing a poem!
Sacro Bosco lies next to a 15.000 acre beech, oak, pine and hornbeam forest for riding, cycling and walking. There are also large open spaces in Sacro Bosco for sunbathing (naturists welcome) and summer games ("Yes, Normandy has fine summer weather." ) Indeed, Sacro Bosco is always in blossom. A great variety of birds entertains you throughout the day. Three horses keep the grass low on meadows. Deer use the sacred woods as a safe haven... Welcome to Sacro Bosco!
Practical Information & Links
It's easy to come to Sacro Bosco - and equally hard to leave. This woodland paradise lies 30-40min from Dieppe/Rouen and 2h from Paris close (but not too close) to both A28 and A29 crossing through the region.
It's easy to come to Sacro Bosco - and equally hard to leave. This woodland paradise lies 30-40min from Dieppe/Rouen and 2h from Paris close (but not too close) to both A28 and A29 crossing through the region.
Sacro Bosco
After 20+ years of nurturing the garden and gradually bringing buildings back to life there is probably more luxury than comfort in Sacro Bosco. Also the elements of rustic are treasured here.
The happy troopers include Puss Puss, Farinelli, Richard, Brendan, Diego and many other visiting friends. Come and break sweat with us, cook with us, rest & relax with us and celebrate with us.
The happy troopers include Puss Puss, Farinelli, Richard, Brendan, Diego and many other visiting friends. Come and break sweat with us, cook with us, rest & relax with us and celebrate with us.
Thomas Sebastian, 2005-2012
" Welcome to Sacro Bosco. "
ROUTE PLANNER via Michelin
FERRIES Newhaven-Dieppe
WEATHER Rouen 7-day forecast
TRANSLATOR Babel Fish
TRAVEL WEBSITES QuoQuo.net
FERRIES Newhaven-Dieppe
WEATHER Rouen 7-day forecast
TRANSLATOR Babel Fish
TRAVEL WEBSITES QuoQuo.net
The Glass Island
Click here to enter...
Some of our neighbors (Cascaret)
