Discover Thionne

Thionne brings together Château des Fougis, monumental steel art, distinctive architecture and extensive grounds. This offers several different points of interest to consider when planning your trip: art, architectural history and landscape each have their own appeal.

Art and architecture at Château des Fougis

The Erich Engelbrecht Sculpture Park at Château des Fougis features 29 monumental steel works, including polychrome sculptures. The combination of material, scale and color gives the art collection a distinctive character. The number conveys the size of the sculpture park, while the polychrome works point to color as an additional feature alongside the steel. You can therefore treat the park as a dedicated art attraction or include it in your travel plans together with the château’s architecture. The sculptures and the historic building are two distinct subjects: one draws attention to monumental works, the other to the period in which it was built and its masonry.

Château des Fougis was built in 1595. It is made of red and black bricks laid in patterns; this style of construction is typical of the Bourbonnais Renaissance. This makes it possible to place the building in a historical context, while the arrangement of the bricks and the contrast between the two colors also shape its architectural character. For travelers interested in architectural history, this combination of a date and visible design details is particularly interesting. Compared with the park’s steel art, the château’s impact comes from a different material and a different approach to design. During a stay, art and architecture can thus be considered as two separate interests connected by the same location.

Grounds and landscape

The surroundings of Château des Fougis offer another focus. The château is set amid more than 130 hectares of former pastureland, and the grounds also include several fishponds. Footpaths pass through the woodland. These features create a landscape theme alongside art and architectural history: the area gives a sense of scale, the ponds add water to the scene, and the paths lead through the woods. If you are weighing up different interests for your trip, this offers a clear distinction between viewing the works and exploring the landscape.

Plan your visit

Admission to the park at Château des Fougis requires a ticket purchased in advance. For a day when the park is open, choose an arrival time within its opening hours. Plan your visit around this time slot and check the latest ticket information before you go. This is especially important if the sculpture park is the main focus of your day: the ticket requirement needs to be taken into account before you plan other activities for your stay.

Practical art workshops are occasionally offered at Château des Fougis in addition to visits. A workshop is a possible extra, but it is not a regular part of every visit. If you are interested in hands-on art activities, check whether one is scheduled for your chosen date. This lets you distinguish between the art and architecture attractions and a workshop that is offered only occasionally.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Menoux, Hauterive, Lavault-Sainte-Anne, Boucé, Vichy, Audes, Dompierre-Sur-Besbre, Cerilly.

For the regional travel overview: Allier.