Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire, Dordogne - an impressive modern garden in the hills above Terrasson

Visit Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire

The Jardins de l'Imaginaire are a distinctly modern garden with a lovely setting overlooking the attractive town of Terrasson-Lavilledieu in the Perigord Noir region of the Dordogne.

Explore the Jardins de l'Imaginaire

The ticket office of the Jardins de l'Imaginaire is in a beautiful old building on the edge of the Place de Genouillac in the old town of Terrasson. A guided visit of the garden leads uphill from here and winds past all the main features of the garden.

The tour initially winds up along a path through the woods where a ribbon of copper winds around the tree tops to give the woods a contemporary feel. As well as the natural woodland there are various sections of shaped box hedging and the addition of flowering plants such as hydrangeas to add to the woodland views.

The pathway leads to a modern ampitheatre with wonderful views over the lovely town of Terrasson. You can also see the flat roof of the greenhouse below which has been kept flat to evoke a sort of mirror of water when looking at it.

Long borders of blue nepetas and other largely blue flowers cross the hillside and provide a visual link with the blue slate roofs of Terrasson below.

On to the furthest point of the garden and the wonderful area of water jets which is a favourite for many visitors to the garden. The water fountains are a wonderful feature and also provide a welcome freshness to the garden especially in summer. You can walk in amongst the fountains to get the full benefit of the refreshing sprays of water.

A long cascade of water also leads down to the fountain area and the edges of the cascade and fountain area are planted with a selection of plants and shrubs.

The return journey takes you past the wonderful blue structure supporting and surrounded by more than 2000 roses. This must be stunning in June when the rose season is at its peak but even in late July it was full of colour.