The Marqueyssac Gardens were opened to the public in the 1990s after an extensive program of restoration and are now undeniably one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in France. Magical and perfectly manicured, these gardens surround the 17th century Château de Marqueyssac and are the epitome of the kind of incredible creation that can come about when man grooms his natural surroundings. Located at Vézac, in the Dordogne Department of France, this exceptionally beautiful garden is a must-see if you have browsed our stunning villas in Aquitaine and are looking for things to see and do in the area.
Perched on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the valley of Dordogne, the Marqueyssac Gardens, or Jardin de Marqueyssac (often known as the Overhanging Gardens of Marqueyssac), was built at the end of the 17th century by Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac, Counselor to Louis XIV. The original grounds were organised in the garden à la française style and their design has been attributed to a pupil of the landscape architect André Le Nôtre. This garden was made up of terraces, alleys, and a kitchen garden surrounding the chateau, though it has been altered in the centuries since it was first begun.
Perched on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the valley of Dordogne, the Marqueyssac Gardens, or Jardin de Marqueyssac (often known as the Overhanging Gardens of Marqueyssac), was built at the end of the 17th century by Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac, Counselor to Louis XIV. The original grounds were organised in the garden à la française style and their design has been attributed to a pupil of the landscape architect André Le Nôtre. This garden was made up of terraces, alleys, and a kitchen garden surrounding the chateau, though it has been altered in the centuries since it was first begun.
A notable addition that came much later was the vast array of boxwood trees that have been trimmed into whimsical shapes and which are an iconic fixture of the gardens today. Added in the 1860s by the new lord of the manor, Julien de Cervel, their number has grown to an astounding 150,000 in the time since they were first planted. It was under de Cervel, too, that many other trees and tree species were added to the grounds at Marqueyssac including linden trees, cypress trees, and stone pines from Italy and that rustic structures and five kilometers of walks around the property were added for the romantic flare of the pleasure gardens typical of the 19th century.
By the second half of the 20th century, however, the château was occupied less frequently and, as a result, the gardens quickly fell into disrepair. Luckily, the chateau and gardens met a new owner in Kleber Rossillon in 1996, under whom the gardens were restored and their old character revived. In addition to the grand restoration project, new features were added to the gardens including an alley of santolina and rosemary and a course of water descending from the belvedere and ending in a cascade that very much compliments the romantic spirit of 19th century garden design that still largely characterises the gardens today. Then the Marqueyssac Gardens were opened to the public in 1997 and from that year on have been listed among the Notable Gardens of France by the Committee of Parks and Gardens of the French Ministry of Culture.
In its current form, the 22 hectares of the gardens consist of belvederes from which you can take in truly wonderful views over the surrounding scenery, sinuous pathways, small staircases, three drystone huts, a large esplanade designed for recreation and elegant receptions, a small rotunda, a wayside cross, rock gardens, benches carved into the rock, lots of different kinds of trees, Mediterranean and Italian vegetation and planting, the neatly pruned box hedges that unroll like some fantastical creation from a fairytale, and more. You can also grab tea or coffee or a snack at the tea room, which boasts incredible views from a terrace overlooking the surrounding area. Plus, if you visit on a Thursday in July or August, you're in for an even more magical experience as the gardens remain open late (until midnight with last admittance at 11pm), and after you've taken in a wonderful sunset, you'll then be able to wander the gardens while illuminated by fairylights and thousands upon thousands of candles and while musicians play in the background!
So, if you have found a villa in Aquitaine and are spending any time at all in this part of France, be sure to visit the stunning Marqueyssac Gardens to take in their unbelievable, storybook looks for yourself!
Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, 24220 Vezac, France
+33 5 53 31 36 36
Opening Hours:
April, May, June, September from 10am to 7pm
February, March, and October to the 11th of November from 10am to 6pm
July and August from 9am to 8pm
From the 12th of November to the end of January from 2pm to 5pm
Tickets:
Adult - €9.90
Children (10 to 17 years) - €5
Children (under 10) - Free
By the second half of the 20th century, however, the château was occupied less frequently and, as a result, the gardens quickly fell into disrepair. Luckily, the chateau and gardens met a new owner in Kleber Rossillon in 1996, under whom the gardens were restored and their old character revived. In addition to the grand restoration project, new features were added to the gardens including an alley of santolina and rosemary and a course of water descending from the belvedere and ending in a cascade that very much compliments the romantic spirit of 19th century garden design that still largely characterises the gardens today. Then the Marqueyssac Gardens were opened to the public in 1997 and from that year on have been listed among the Notable Gardens of France by the Committee of Parks and Gardens of the French Ministry of Culture.
In its current form, the 22 hectares of the gardens consist of belvederes from which you can take in truly wonderful views over the surrounding scenery, sinuous pathways, small staircases, three drystone huts, a large esplanade designed for recreation and elegant receptions, a small rotunda, a wayside cross, rock gardens, benches carved into the rock, lots of different kinds of trees, Mediterranean and Italian vegetation and planting, the neatly pruned box hedges that unroll like some fantastical creation from a fairytale, and more. You can also grab tea or coffee or a snack at the tea room, which boasts incredible views from a terrace overlooking the surrounding area. Plus, if you visit on a Thursday in July or August, you're in for an even more magical experience as the gardens remain open late (until midnight with last admittance at 11pm), and after you've taken in a wonderful sunset, you'll then be able to wander the gardens while illuminated by fairylights and thousands upon thousands of candles and while musicians play in the background!
So, if you have found a villa in Aquitaine and are spending any time at all in this part of France, be sure to visit the stunning Marqueyssac Gardens to take in their unbelievable, storybook looks for yourself!
Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, 24220 Vezac, France
+33 5 53 31 36 36
Opening Hours:
April, May, June, September from 10am to 7pm
February, March, and October to the 11th of November from 10am to 6pm
July and August from 9am to 8pm
From the 12th of November to the end of January from 2pm to 5pm
Tickets:
Adult - €9.90
Children (10 to 17 years) - €5
Children (under 10) - Free
Photo credits:
Picture 1: Ladislaus Hoffner / CC BY-SA 4.0
Picture 1: Ladislaus Hoffner / CC BY-SA 4.0
