Marqueyssac Gardens
After exploring Castelnaud castle, continue your escapade 3 km away, where the Marqueyssac gardens await you! These magnificent gardens are only an hour and a half from the campsite. Cigaline in the Dordogne.
History of the château
Following major restoration work, Marqueyssac welcomed its first visitors in March 1997. It is now the most visited garden in Périgord. Classified as a site for its 22-hectare historic park, Marqueyssac offers over 6 kilometers of shaded paths through a maze of 150,000 centuries-old, hand-trimmed box trees. Overlooking the Dordogne valley from a rocky outcrop, the park offers an exceptional panorama of the Périgord, with its limestone cliffs, castles and picturesque villages such as Beynac and Domme, seen from the Belvédère de la Dordogne at an altitude of 130 m.The private estate of Château de Marqueyssac, a listed historic site, is the fruit of a family heritage dating back to the 17th century. Marqueyssac represents one of the most remarkable garden designs of the 19th century. In the 1830s and 1840s, Julien Bessière took over, inaugurating the Grande Allée for horseback riding and overseeing the construction of the chapel. Nevertheless, the main transformations to the garden and allées took place at the end of the 19th century, when Julien de Cerval became owner in 1861. Under his direction, tens of thousands of box trees were planted, and various ornamental species such as lime and Judas trees made their appearance in the park. Fascinated by Italian culture, Julien de Cerval also introduced cypresses, umbrella pines and the Naples cyclamen.
Activities at the château
After spending the night in one of the stilt tents overlooking the river at La Cigaline campsite in the Dordogne, come and take part in various activities such as “the world of garden bees” in March, or DIY workshops such as “curious about nature”, available from March to May. Yoga sessions are also available inside the château! Many other activities are to be discovered throughout the seasons on the site ==> Site des jardins <==
Practical information
Opening hours
The gardens are open all year round, every day, at the following times: April-May-June-September= 10am to 7pm February-March early October to November 11 10am to 6pm July-August= 9am to 8pm November 12 to late January= 2pm to 5pm
Rates
Admission is free for children under 10 and for holders of the nomative loyalty card -From January 1 to March 29 and from November 12 to December 31- adults/€10.90 children (10 to 17)/€5.50 yearly pass/€27.50 -From March 30 to November 11- adults/€12.90 children (10 to 17)/€6.50 yearly pass/€27.50
Payment methods
You can pay by :
- -bank card
- -species
- -Czech
- -holiday/gift cheques
Access
How do I get there?
You are welcome to :
on foot → PR9 footpath by car → GPS coordinates: N 44° 49′ 32 ” – E 1° 9′ 53” A20 freeway: Souillac exit A89 freeway: Sarlat exit
Parking
Free, shaded parking is available around the gardens for cars, camper vans and PRMs.
Services
- Picnic area
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Restaurant/Tearoom/Crêperie (in season)/Sandwich shop (in summer)
- Mobile application (interactive, geolocated map for visitors)
- Game booklet available (free for children aged 7 to 12 accompanied by an adult).
