©Les Jardins de Marqueyssac

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Les Jardins de Marqueyssac

France

Marqueyssac’s romantic and picturesque gardens – a listed National Historical Monument that surrounds an early 19th century château with its flagstone roof, known as lauze – offer over six kilometres of pathways amongst 150,000 century-old, hand-pruned Boxwoods.

The Belvedere, 130 metres above the river, has one of the most spectacular panoramas of Périgord. Its view sweeps over the valley, castles, and nearby villages of Beynac, Fayrac, Castelnaud, la Roque-Gageac and Domme.

The site dates from 1692 with the construction of its terraces. From 1861 onwards, Julien de Cerval planted tens of thousands of Boxwood along with ornamental trees and plants, including Cypress, Lime, Judas-Tree, Laburnum, and Ivy-Leaved Cyclamen. He opened paths and walkways, and created belvederes, rockeries, and drystone huts to heighten the site’s picturesque beauty.

 

During the second half of the 20th century, the gardens suffered from neglect, until Kléber Rossillon intervened and undertook its restoration, finally opening its doors to the public in 1997. The initial transformation focused on preserving its rare landscapes:  The Rosemary walkway, the Belvedere’s Water Trail, the Boxwood Chaos and the Arch Walkway. In 2007, Kléber Rossillon introduced a Boxwood collection.

 

Play areas, tree-cabins and illustrated signs enhance the visit. And a netted walkway meanders between the trees.

The aviary, free-roaming peacocks, dioramas presenting the wild fauna of Périgord, and a genuine dinosaur skeleton complete the visit.

 

The Via Ferrata allows visitors to discover the valley in a new and different way. Guided tours, children’s activities and a hand-crafted wood-turning demonstration are part of our seasonal programme. We also organise annual events, including Easter-egg hunts, the Garden Festival, and Candlelight Evenings. Our boutique, with its integral bookshop, is open all year round.

The panoramic restaurant offers light meals, pastries, ice-creams, and refreshments.

Les Jardins de Marqueyssac

24220 Vézac

FRANCE

In accordance with government guidelines to address Covid-19,
Marqueyssac Gardens will be reopened to the public from Sunday 20 December 2020

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