major touristic and cultural attraction brings together the art of
gardens and the history of humanity. 6, hectares and 13 natural gardens, as
surprising as they are enchanting, recount the history of gardens since
the Roman period. The landscape displays permanent elements of the world’s
gardens: water, wind movement, plants, perspectives and more. It was designed in 1996 by American landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson.
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Gushing, running, seeping, irrigating, waterfalls…
Water is found here
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standing in the corner of the lake to see the rainbow reflecting on the water |
trimmed hedges and perfect manicured greenery gardens, graphic in areas and soft curves in other areas, eccoing the feminine touch. It’s possible to catch sight of an overlook opening to Terrasson. for more details including contact: Jardins de L’Imaginaire
Jardins de I’Imaginaire in Terrasson-Lavilledieu – Dordogne France absolutely beautiful from Rosana McPhee on Vimeo.
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coconut Madeleine, chocolate and violet brownie, poppy, hibiscus and violet drinks and beautiful edible flowers |
Jardins suspendus de Marqueyssac
Hilltop gardens edged with clipped box hedges & topiary, plus a ‘balcony’ to soak in the amazing panoramic views of the Dordogne valley. Situated 130 metres above the Dordogne valley and overlooking part of it’s river. Its a place to walk and be in touch with nature, lots of activities take place such rock climbing the chalky rocks, arts and crafts workshop, Easter egg hunt, candlelight nights at selected dates (July & August, 19h00 to midnight). Its a great day out for kids as they have specific gardens and playgrounds too.
The tea house is so beautiful and we had lunch al fresco, below with Madame Katia and Nathalie Bapst, head manager of this incredible place, she has been working there since the beginning including the renovation and opening of the gardens in 1997. This lady vision helped shaped the garden and to this day she’s in charge of it.
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fresh local strawberry pie and coulis – delicious ending to our meal. |
Les Jardins de Marqueyssac
24 220 Vezac
Tél. 05-53-31-36-36
houses with their stone slab or brown-tiled roofs are mirrored
in the waters of the River Dordogne. Beautiful day for 1 hour boat trip on the Dordogne river.
After that we drove another 15-20 minutes to Castelnaud La Chapelle to visit Josephine Baker’s castle.
The castle was build in 1469, Renaissance architecture with magnificent Gothic elements. The 24-room mansion features stained-glass
windows, an ivy-covered turret, gargoyles, vaulted ceilings, mammoth
fireplaces, and a grand circular staircase of stone.Once was Josephine Baker’s residence, she bought the castle in 1947, modernising the building with running water, electricity and other commodities.
Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri, on
June 3, 1906. Josephine had a very humble childhood, married young and divorced three times. Eventually, Josephine Baker sashayed onto a Paris stage during the 1920s with
a comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe by storm. Famous for
barely-there dresses and no-holds-barred dance routines, her exotic
beauty generated nicknames “Black Venus,” “Black Pearl” and “Creole Goddess, an intriguing and inspiring persona.
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Costumes in The Grand Salon |
The castle is a museum and exhibition dedicated to Josephine Baker, who lived there. You can walk through her the artiste belongings, sumptuous bathrooms, furniture and memorabilia from her artistic, motherhood (she adopted 12 children) and resistance days. An amazing recount of a life full of achievements.
Nowadays, the property belongs to Madame Angélique de Saint-Exupéry, 33, whose husband is a distant cousin of the author of The Little Prince, manages the day-to-day operations. She has the hard task to oversee the refurbishment, up keeping, the development of this extraordinary fairytale castle and keeping alive the Josephine Baker’s memory.
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Josephine Baker’s gardens |
Diner in the ‘Ferme Auberge du Brusquant’ in Marquay about 11 km from Sarlat- a farmhouse restaurant where the recipes are authentic. They plant, grow, cook and serve their own produce in a simple and friendly atmosphere.
a small and very quick wine tasting took place Domaine de La voie Blanche:
Barbeyrolles,100% Merlot, great with meats in general, terroir : garde du Perigord
Le Petit manoir (75% Merlot, 25% cabernet franc) terroir is clay and limestone.
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rich, buttery, and delicate fresh Fois Gras with a selection of homemade breads, potato and crouton soup garnished with salad. |
delicious crisp duck confit served with a herby mash potato, green beans and carrots
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Local cheese |
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local strawberries and cream to finish |
Ferme Auberge du Brusquant : more details
That night I stayed at hotel ‘Le Renoir’ in Sarlat. Recommended!
Disclosure: I was a guest of Brive Vallee Dordogne Tourist Board all views are my own.