Fri 8 Nov 2013, at 11am, the Park Couttet inauguration, on site, by the Chamonix Municipality.
The program of restoration of the park was divided into two phases: autumn 2012 - spring 2013 and summer 2013. The total budget for both phases was 490 000 Euros before tax.
The renovation work included: reconfiguration of the oversized Casino parking, creation of a tree fence around the parking area, renovation of the Gabriel Loppé and the Folly pathways.
The moraine mound has been totally reconfigured. 17,000 of flower bulbs have been planted throughout the park.
The 2012/2013 project for the renovated territory meets a certain number of goals and objectives established by the local authorities.
The project was structured around five main directions:
- provide a unique and historical public place which belongs to the Chamonix heritage;
- a landscape re-design that guarantees both security of the historical site and fulfils its role as green space;
- restoration of the observatory function;
- preservation of the geological moraine mound, the only remaining from the last ice edge (11000 BC);
- improvement of the north / south paths and road.
The renovation of the park is part of a project that includes Villa de Tournette and Hotel Couttet. The reconstruction of Villa de Tournette is in progress and the former Hotel Couttet is next on the list.
The Park Couttet is one of the Chamonix sites with a long history. It was built on part of the terminal moraine of the Mer de Glace. Originally, it provided a privileged position from which to observe the surrounding peaks. The observatory on the territory of the park served generations of tourists.
The property and grounds were purchased by the local town council in 1990. Since then, despite its central location, the territory of the park has been neglected.
