Lodgings: 96

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THE GARDEN: The majestic gardens are a superb example of how botanical gardens were laid out under the reign of the Bourbon royal family, with evocative scenes of classical architecture amid the rare specimens of beautiful trees. The Temple of Venus or indeed the remains of the castle bear witness to the desire first of the Bourbons and later of the Cortchacovs to keep the memories of this delightful place alive. Enjoy a relaxing drink as you take in the changing hues of the gardens: the long, uninterrupted glazing seems to provide exactly the right filter for blending the evocative emotion of the natural world with the pleasing notes from the piano bar. THE SWIMMING POOL: The large swimming pool is filled with sea water and was envisaged by Ponti more as a "pond for wood nymphs" than as a mere attraction for swimmers. He described it as a pool "... out of which rise islands for the classical attitudes of Récamier or Paolina, of female beauty; and from the water emerges a masonry ladder to climb and then dive into the depths..."