Property in Maine-et-Loire
"Bertrand de Perignon worked on our Le Serrain property in 2012-2014.
We faced a complex issue of excavating a forecourt between the manor and the outbuildings. Together with the Architect of the Buildings of France, we planned to level this forecourt to the level of the dry moat that borders the manor to the north, but we were not convinced by the various choices to be made. I called upon Bertrand, whom I had already discussed with Louis Benech, whom I met in Le Lude as part of the Prix Redouté. He had spoken very highly of him.
I must acknowledge that I am delighted to have brought him in. We were preparing to do earthwork that we would have regretted. The retaining wall extending from that of the dry moat would have been a frankly unfortunate choice. Bertrand's idea was to 'bend' it towards the dovecote so as to orient it almost perpendicular to the outbuilding, which added a few meters.
By becoming partly triangular, the forecourt then integrated a staging of the dovecote overlooking this forecourt: we would have missed this successful aesthetic choice that seems so natural today. Missing this visual construction would have meant imbalances and, ultimately, having to rebuild a 2.5m high retaining wall with the accompanying earthwork. I don't think I would have been capable of it.
Thank you Bertrand for this beautiful result that I enjoy every day: 'seeing is an art.'"
Etienne de Q.