François Treyve was the first landscape architect in the lineage. Born in Misérieux in the Ain in 1818, my grandfather was a visionary horticulturist, breeder and landscape gardener. From an early age, he showed an insatiable curiosity and a passion for horticulture, which he perfected by training at the prestigious Royal Gardens of Versailles, a mecca of innovation and excellence. Back in Trévoux, he did not content himself with developing a horticultural estate: he turned it into a real laboratory of creativity and experimentation. A pioneer in the selection of flowers and fruits, he left his mark on his era with his audacity and inventiveness. His quest for excellence led him to create unique varieties, including the famous "Souvenir de Madame Treyve" pear. Fiercely avant-garde, he successfully acclimatized exotic species, including the magnolia, and established himself as a reference under the nickname "father of the magnolia". Always at the forefront, he revolutionized the cultivation of walnut trees by developing an innovative grafting technique, thus contributing to the international reputation of walnuts.
François Treyve was not only a man of the field, but also an intellectual passionate about the transmission of his knowledge. His innovative spirit is reflected in the many articles he publishes in professional journals, where he generously shares his discoveries. As a landscape architect, he left a lasting mark by imagining and building, in France and Switzerland, parks and gardens that harmoniously combine aesthetics and functionality, bearing witness to his artistic sensibility and his taste for innovation.
A committed visionary, he also played a key role in local life, as a municipal councillor and administrator of companies such as the Société de Secours Mutuel Incendie. His commitment, creativity and constant quest for perfection make him an emblematic figure of his time, whose legacy has strongly inspired his descendants and a whole generation of landscape and horticultural professionals.
This quest for excellence and creativity in the landscaping professions has never ceased to animate his descendants. From generation to generation, each has carried on the legacy of this visionary ancestor with pride and passion. Over the decades, François Treyve's descendants have been able to preserve and enrich this tradition, helping to promote the art of landscape and horticulture while relentlessly innovating. All of them have devoted their professional lives to sublimating nature, whether by creating gardens, acclimatizing new species, or inventing innovative techniques. Each member of this lineage has contributed to the family building, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the transmission of know-how and the search for perfection.
Today, Guillaume Braux, the director of Braux SA, humbly embodies this age-old tradition. As the direct heir of François Treyve, he perpetuates the founding values of the family: tradition, creativity, excellence, avant-garde and respect for the environment. Through his work and that of his collaborators, he brings this unique heritage to life, while adapting it to the contemporary challenges of the landscaping professions. His approach harmoniously blends innovation and respect for tradition, in line with his illustrious predecessors. More than just a succession, it is a true vocation passed down from generation to generation, a common thread that connects past, present and future with remarkable consistency and passion. An extraordinary legacy that continues to inspire.
