Wet meadows and source of the river Norges
The richess and depth of Norges-la-Ville, a french village near Dijon, is bonded to the natural source of the river Norges.
Depending on the season and the river’s mood, the zone was
hardly accessible so far, depriving the local population of the stunning beauty of this landscape. The purpose of this
project was to rehabilitate the wet meadows nearby and enlarge the space around the source.
A large wooden deck, terrace over the source itself, is the starting point for the walk.
A pedestrian boardwalk, designed like a wharf on wooden stilts (oak tree, same as the terrace) leaves the domesticated
space and crosses a symbolic border, stepping into a brand new... nimbus.
The meadow zone is extremely wet, and often does the river overflow its banks transforming the area into temporary
swamps. The transition between these two universes, from domesticated to wild and unpredictable, is where the
magic truly happens.
An elevated access was necessary. Our on-stilts boardwalk carries the walker into this fantasy land without ever
touching the ground, creating this levitation feeling. This choice is respectful to the ecosystem, sublimates
the wild life, and is also a technical answer to keep the pathway up the river level when it overflows.
Our wharf is crossed by some branching accesses to the river Norges, bringing new perspectives into this poetic journey, while a wooden bridge over the river invites to contemplation.
The geometric contrast plays an important part as well, mirroring the river natural sinuous curves with the
boardwalk radical lines.
With a minimal man-made intrusion, this landscape is finally re-discovered, and served with an out-of-reality, undisturbed esthetic.