The enthusiasm that the British have had for gardening for the last 40 years is only recently coming to be shared by the French.
However there are many beautiful gardens in the Dordogne area. Some of my favourites are listed below. Marqueyssac is the most famous.
Marqueyssac gardens, central Dordogne
This is a fabulous garden to visit and one of the few in the area worth visiting with children. It is almost exclusively made up of clipped box but near the chateâu this is clipped into elaborate swirling designs and includes paths of clipped rosemary and santolina. There is then a much wilder walk in woodland and clipped box which meanders 130 metres above the river giving fabulous views. The visit is made unaccompanied by a guide (which is obligatory at other gardens such as Eyrignac and for me reduces the pleasure) . There is an area with swings and a picnic area and during the summer on certain days children older than 6 can learn rock climbing .
During the summer each Thursday evening the gardens are lit by candlelight and various musicians play in different parts of the garden. A magical experience not to be missed.
Situated 9 km south-west of Sarlat near Vézac.
La Roque Gageac gardens, central Dordogne
La Roque Gageac is one of the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne (though it can get very busy in the summer). One of its residents Gérard Dorin, vice president of the association "Fous de Palmiers" (lovers of palms) has turned this beautiful village into an equally beautiful garden. He has planted bananas, bamboos, bougainvillias and masses more giving a jungle effect to the village built up the rocky slope next to the Dordogne river.
Le jardin de Planbuisson, central Dordogne
This amazing garden is almost entirely made up of bamboos and grasses and displays the enormous range and versatility of both. And even better for plant lovers there is a nursery on site where you can buy plants to take home! 250 species of bamboo and 430 species of grasses are grown here.
Sited in the village of Le Buisson-de-Cadouin
Eryignac, central Dordogne
These very formal gardens are made up of clipped hornbeams and box together with pines and cypresses. Very few flowers are allowed to compete with the formal layout and intricate shapes. The overall effect is beautiful but lacking in the seasonal variations and colour that most gardeners enjoy. All visits are accompanied by a guide making them unsuitable for small children.
Situated 13km north-east of Sarlat near Salignac.
Les jardins de l'imaginaire at Terrason, north Dordogne
These award winning gardens have been planted on a steep hill next to the attractive town of Terrason. The gardens are fairly modern and use a lot of willows, water and nepeta. The nepeta creates a link with the blue slate rooves of the town when it is in flower and the result is very striking. A very stylish garden and well worth a visit but slightly spoiled for me by the compulsory tour.
Les jardins d'eau, Carsac
A collection of large ponds planted with water lilies and Lotuses. The garden has a backdrop of cliffs and woods and when in floor the oriental scent of the lotus flowers. Lotus flowers can be seen from June to October and can be 2m tall.
Situated at Saint Rome, Carsac
Les Jardins de Sardy, western Dordogne
One of my favourites. Les Jardins de Sardy is built around a lovely old French farmhouse. One of its key features is a beautiful pond set below the farmhouse and surrounded by abundant planting.
La Brande
Great for kids there is an amazing collection of cabanes built of willow and various other materials hidden throughout a woodland walk. A very nice garden centre is attached.
Situated at: La Brande, 24380 Fouleix
Cadiot
.jpg)
Brantome, north Dordogne
There are two gardens at Brantome. One, les jardins d'au-delà, is a park of 4 hectares on the edge of the river Dronne. Some very nice planting, worth a visit. The other is a botanic garden, is free and is a perfect dream for anyone with an interest in vegetable gardening.
Le Conquil: Parc Naturel Troglodytique, central Dordogne
I have sneaked this into 'gardens' without my wife, the garden expert, knowing. Near St Leon sur Vézère, there is a lovely walk through the woods to a fine viewpoint. Since you will pass botanical signs en route I think it's fair to include it here.
Gardens information supplied by French gardens and Black Bamboo
