In 1655 François-Marie, the Duke of Vitry’s son and Lord of Châteauvillain, erected a 6-kilometer stone wall  to enclose a part of the forest at the eastern entrance to the town

so he could devote all his time to his passion – hunting.   

In the course of the years which followed, the game multiplied and thus the park was perfect for its purpose.    The absence of human activity,  has allowed certain plants ,  like the aconite, white swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum Officinale), joli-bois, and other brightly-coloured species not usually seen in a forested landscape to establish themselves.    This gives the deer park a special aspect.

Today, this 272-hectare park is planted with rare and diverse varieties of trees, around a hundred fallow deer, in perfect harmony with their environment,  delight visitors.

Wandering along the numerous paths, you’ll also discover the remains of ancient quarries where the stone was extracted to build Châteauvillain’s walls during the 12th and 14th centuries.

You enter the Deer Park through the ‘Porte Madame’ or Lady Gate’, one of three gates to the town of Châteauvillain in the 14th century.

Every year the Deer Park hosts:

- The  « Salon Plaisirs de la Chasse et de la Nature » (« The pleasures of hunting and nature » fair)  on the last weekend of August.

And since  2009

- " La Médiévale", the great medieval festival on Whit Sunday.    

as well as

-  "Castelretro" the exhibition of vintage vehicles on the  last Sunday in June. 

The park is closed annually from 15th October to 15th November, during the deer rut.

  Entrance free. 

Our canine friends are not permitted to enter the park, even on a lead.  There are other beautiful walks across the forest very close by which are available for them.