Whenever we visit gardens, either in the UK or on our travels, we undergo a transformation. Instead of buzzing round the joint like caffeinated American tourists on the souvenir warpath (not always our MO but it has been known to happen), we find ourselves lingering at contemplative vistas, exploring all the paths and grottoes, talking about plants for God’s sake.
A while back on a trip to the Dordogne, we visited the Marqueyssac Gardens — one of France’s listed Jardins Remarquable and among the most visited of the Perigord. Dramatic box hedges are cut into psychedelic swirls and whorls. Peacocks roam the grounds. A rosemary path scents the air. On selected evenings in the summer, the paths are lined with thousands of candles and musicians play.
Off my daughter went, running along the shaded walkways, cruising along garden paths and peering over the tall stone walls. We peeked through windows in the tiny stone chapel. From that trip, a few moments stick in the memory. They have to do with shrubbery shaped like lollipops, santonlina (yes, an actual plant name) topped with little yellow flowers, views over the Dordogne valley…
And if you like, they always have souvenirs in the shop.
Jardins de Marqueyssac
24220 Vézac FRANCE
marqueyssac.com/en
+33 (0)5 53 31 36 36
We visited these gardens a few years ago. They were simply gorgeous. I have that same photo of my son running through the covered walkway. Thanks for bringing back happy memories x
Wow, love that we were both there at different times. They were such a lovely surprise during our stay.
A jardin remarkable indeed – I have the opposite of green fingers but I do love visiting gardens like these.
Cathy, tell me about it. I too am the opposite of green fingers. It makes gardens like this all the more remarkable to me.
Beautiful photos! I’ve been to Dordogne twice, and the second time I got around to visiting these gardens. It certainly surpassed my expectations, and what pretty views the site offers! #MondayEscapes
Sara, I thought this was a secret gem but I’ve had other friends say they’ve visited here as well. It really is striking.
I am a garden lover too. I try to visit them as often as possible. I have been to some great ones in Vancouver and Rio de Janeiro (those were memorable). The most intricate one I have visited has to be Versailles. I think I would go more than crazy in France visiting some like the one you have highlighted in here.
I love the idea of you visiting gardens on all your travels. Mainly we do it in France and the UK but now you’ve inspired me to seek them out wherever we go.
We have been planning to do a road trip in France and the Dordogne region has been very high on the list. In fact, I remember looking at Marqueyssac Gardens and thinking how beautiful they look. We love wandering gardens, I think my son would really enjoy running in between the shrubs. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes. Lovely having you 🙂
Thanks so much for the comment! I hope you make it there sometime soon.
Lovely place!! Even though I lived in France before, I never visited Dordogne. One more to the list 😀
Thank you for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Happy to have discovered #MondayEscapes. The Dordogne is lovely. I highly recommend!