The jury of the second edition of the landscape award for ecological heritage selected the restoration project of the Château de Buzet estate, located in Buzet-sur-Blaise in the French department of Lot-et-Garonne. Entirely dedicated to agroecology, this future third place is run by the Château & Fabriques de Buzet association in collaboration with the owner of the site, Les Vignerons de Buzet cooperative.
Built in the 11th century, the fortified site surrounded by 11 hectares of parks and gardens is a major heritage and cultural asset for the region. The association’s goal is to transform the site into a centre for research and experimentation dedicated to the agroecological transition, with a laboratory for local innovation in collaboration with the Viti Rev project, training courses, lessons on growing vegetables and other activities, as well as cultural and business tourist packages.
The Prize will be used for work on the estate's walled garden to restore proportions detailed in texts by historical garden designer Dézallier d'Argenville. The old greenhouses, orange groves and gardener's house will also be protected and restored, with for example, the installation of a rainwater harvesting system. A greater diversity of plants adapted to the seasons is planned for the site, and educational and tourism partnerships will be developed around permaculture. Work begins in autumn 2022.
