Les Jardins De Marqueyssac

Category: Gardens

Location: Vézac, France

The region of la Dordogne is one of the most unspoiled in France. Unlike its neighbour Bordeaux, Dordogne flies under the radar for many people, even though it is one of the most popular holiday destinations for the French. Its many castles and manor houses bear witness of its rich history.

The region’s capital is the town of Perigueux, which is why the French often informally refer to the area as “le Périgord”. 

The Marqueyssac Gardens are in the Périgord noir, located in the south part of the region, considered the “classic” Dordogne.

The gardens are a spectacular site to visit, often referred to as “the soul of Périgord noir.” They include over six kilometres of shaded pathways, lined with 150,000 hand-pruned boxwoods, offering panoramic views of the entire Dordogne Valley.

Three of the paths lead to le Belvédère, a cliff 800 metres from the chateau, 192 metres high and 130 metres above the river below.

The paths are built around a small castle, which in its current form dates back to the late 18th century, around the time of the French revolution.

The gardens were created by Julien de Cerval in the years following 1861, when he returned to France after defending the Papal States. 

Boxwoods have been used in European gardens since at least Roman Antiquity and an integral part of the Italian culture that de Cerval was so invested in.

The garden became his life’s work, merging his interest in Italy with his French heritage and thus creating what is widely considered one of the finest examples of 19th century gardens.

Throughout the years, his original plans have been both preserved and added to.

Today there are also small staircases, three drystone huts, a large esplanade, rock gardens and several benches carved into the rocks.

During World War II, the chateau was home to the great-grandfather of its current oner, Marius Rossillon, more famous as O’Galop and the founder of Michelin’s famous mascot Bibendum (in 1898).

Besides inventing the famous Michelin-character, he was also an artist and illustrator. Setting up his atelier in nearby Beynac in 1904, he spent his summers here ever since, and then relocating to escape Paris during the Nazi occupation, trading watercolour-paintings for fresh produce and in this way helping his family to survive the war.