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The Most Beautiful Gardens to Visit in Dordogne
©Eyrignac
The Dordogne is home to some of the most enchanting and diverse gardens in France, each offering its own blend of history, creativity, and natural beauty.
With its rolling hills, ancient stone villages, and winding rivers, the Dordogne region offers more than just breathtaking landscapes; it’s also a treasure trove for garden lovers. This part of southwest France is dotted with some of the country’s most iconic and imaginative gardens, from meticulously trimmed topiaries to lush romantic escapes filled with blooming flowers, sculpture, and history.
Whether you’re passionate about classic French-style gardens or drawn to more artistic, naturalistic spaces, Dordogne has something to enchant and inspire. This year, we’ll be returning with garden expert Amy Kupec Larue for our Gardens of Dordogne tour, including exclusive visits to some of the most beautiful public and private gardens in the region.
Before we go, we wanted to share some of the gardens we love most in Dordogne; a mix of historic landmarks and deeply personal creations, all rooted in this region’s timeless charm
©Eyrignac et ses Jardins
Eyrignac et ses Jardins
Tucked away in the heart of the Périgord Noir, Eyrignac is a living example of the elegance and precision of French topiary design. Spread across 10 hectares, the gardens are structured yet dreamlike; a palette of greens sculpted from yew, box, hornbeam, and cypress.
What makes Eyrignac so remarkable is not just its beauty, but the sense of legacy: passed down through 22 generations, the garden is a tribute to time, creativity, and dedication. From classical French parterres to Renaissance inspiration, it offers a perfect blend of history and horticulture.
©Jardins de Marqueyssac
Jardins de Marqueyssac
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Dordogne Valley, Marqueyssac is one of the most iconic gardens in southwest France. Its 150,000 hand-trimmed boxwoods seem to dance across the landscape in rounded, flowing forms, blending perfectly with the natural contours of the valley.
With over 6 km of shaded walking paths, whimsical dry-stone cabanes, and breathtaking views of castles and river bends, it’s easy to understand why Marqueyssac is such a favorite. A true romantic garden, it offers both spectacle and serenity.
©Château de Losse
Château de Losse
Overlooking the Vézère River, the gardens of Château de Losse are steeped in both beauty and history. Created in the spirit of 16th and 17th century garden design, the layout features green rooms, intricate boxwood parterres, fountains, and floral views from every window of the château.
Walk through shaded alleys, explore a hidden bamboo grove, or admire the rose-covered walls leading to the ancient stone tower. It’s a garden that rewards slow discovery, and offers a glimpse into a noble past, all while celebrating the beauty of nature.
©Château des Milandes
Château des Milandes
Best known as the former home of Joséphine Baker, Château des Milandes is more than a historic monument, it’s a place where architecture, personal legacy, and the art of garden design come together beautifully.
The gardens were created in the early 20th century by renowned landscape architect Jules Vacherot, who also served as Head Gardener for the City of Paris during the 1900 Exposition Universelle. Tasked with taming the estate’s rugged terrain, he designed a composite garden, blending formal French-style perspectives in the west with a more naturalistic landscaped park to the east.
The result is a space where structured elegance meets gentle wildness, echoing the evolution of French garden history itself. Listed as a Monument Historique, the gardens have been lovingly restored since 2003, returning them to their former splendour.
©Les Jardins de Cadiot
Les Jardins de Cadiot
Founded in the 1980s by Anne-Marie and Bernard Decottignies, Les Jardins de Cadiot are a deeply personal project, a reflection of their passion for art, nature, and harmony. Set among oak forests and built entirely by hand, these gardens now span 10 themed spaces, with over 1,000 varieties of plants, from antique roses and peonies to grasses and hydrangeas.
With its balance of art installations, structured terraces, and blooming borders, Cadiot is both a garden and an evolving work of art, now lovingly continued by the next generation of the family.
MFCH Travel Experiences
Join Us in Dordogne: A Garden Tour Like No Other
If you dream of wandering through historic green alleys, meeting passionate garden owners, and discovering the heart of France through its most beautiful gardens, we invite you to join us.
This year, we’ll be back in Dordogne with Amy Kupec Larue, who will guide us through both famous gardens and private properties not usually open to the public. With her deep knowledge, personal connections, and passion for French gardens, Amy brings each visit to life in a way that’s insightful, enriching, and unforgettable.
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