The Gardens of Limousin France
A Guide to the Gardens of Limousin France
Discover the secret gardens of Limousin and discover this little-known region of France for yourself. Leave behind the noise, the bustle, the grime and pollution and change it for clean air, sparkling water and the lush green of an area redolent of times gone by.
Limousin is called "the hidden heart of rural France" because it's so little known - and this obscurity is so undeserved! This is a land of lakes and forests, gently rolling landscapes, soft wildflower meadows, awesome (in the real sense of the word) ravines and valleys, wild and craggy hills, fabulous rivers, beautiful parks and gardens.
We moved here from England eleven years ago to live the good life and now run a B&B, holiday cottage and painting holidays. What a great place to live and bring up kids! Sparsely populated and under-exploited as a tourist destination, you'll find 'real' France. The people are welcoming, the prices fair and the crime almost non-existent. Why struggle? Come to Limousin visit the gardens and you'll find so much more here.
Much of this information, and most of the inspiration, has come from Parcs et Jardins Secrets en Limousin published by Les Ardents Editeurs
Parcs et Jardin Secrets en Limousin
The Secret Parks and Gardens of Limousin
Discover the hidden heart of France with this beautiful book devoted to the secret gardens of this little known but beautiful region of France.
Although Parcs et Jardin Secrets en Limousin, Published on Dec 17, 2013 is written in French (like so much of the information about Limousin - no wonder it's hidden!) there are 270 with photographs by Amelie Chassary.
The text is by Jean-Marc Ferrer and Marie-Hélène Restoin-Evert and is published by Les Ardents Editeurs, loosely translated by me as The Passionate Editors.
Take a look at the video below for a flavour of what you might find inside.
See the Faces Behind the Book - Parcs et Jardin Secrets en Limousin
Images of the parks and gardens of France set to haunting songs in French and English.
Secret parcs and gardens in Limousin
A Beautiful video showing the beautiful gardens of hidden France
Haute-Vienne
My Ex-Garden at Les Trois Chenes Videix - Small can be beautiful too!
Haute-Vienne
Forgive me for committing the sin of pride and putting my humble little garden in the hamlet of Videix first. Sadly the house is now sold and it is no longer mine!
Medieval Gardens
Aixe-sur-Vienne
Haute-Vienne
On the banks of the River Vienne near the bridge you'll find the municipal medieval gardens.
What's Behind the Magic of the Black Tulip? - History and romance
- The Romance of the Black Tulip
Why is the black tulip so fascinating?
Jardin Botanique de l'Eveche
Jardin botanique de Limoges or the Botanical Gardens of Limoges
Haute-Vienne
Limoges botanical garden is tucked way behind the cathedral in the old quarter of the city, and it is a site to behold. Walk to the end of the terraced garden and you can overlook the river Vienne and the city beyond.
It was initially established in the eighteenth century but the gardens that you see now were created 1956-1961 and renovated in 1976. The gardens are laid out in strips, or parterres and there are over 1,200 plants grouped together according to use: medicinal plants; industrial plants, plants used for dyes, food, spices, aromatic plants and animal foods.
Details
Rue de la Roseraie
87000 LIMOGES
tel : 05 55 45 62 67
fax : 05 55 45 64 37
Image: Black tulips in the municipal gardens next to the Jardin Botanique. Source B L Walton
Limoges Botanical Gardens - Behind the cathedral
Victor Thuillat Park - Limoges
Haute-Vienne
Imagine a meadow with a river running between amazing and ancient trees such as taxodium, giant sequoia, libocedrus, and an 250-year-old hawthorn. Imagine a collection of perennials and add to that bowling and a play area for children .... worth a visit?
Details
Avenue Emile Labussière
87000 LIMOGES
tel : 05 55 45 62 67
fax : 05 55 45 64 37
Parc Victor Thuillat Limoges
Peaceful images of a park made for the public.
Chateau de Sannat
Haute-Vienne
Comte et Comtesse de Sainte-Croix
Details
Chateau de Sannat
87300 Saint-Junien-les-Combes
Haute Vienne
Entry Charge
05 55 68 13 52
Jardin de Liliane - SAINT LAURENT SUR GORRE
Haute-Vienne
Only about half an hour away from Les Trois Chenes, this is a garden I know quite well. I was delighted to be given a guided tour by Liliane herself when I first arrived in Limousin and I urge you, should you visit Liliane's garden, to take the tour with the creator of this natural haven.
Details
87310 SAINT LAURENT SUR GORRE
Haute-Vienne
Open July, August, September 4.30pm - 5pm
Entry charge 5 euros, guided visits 7.50 euros, under 16's free
05.55.48.14.29
jardindeliliane@wanadoo.fr
More information: Jardin de Liliane
Parc de la Chapelle Saint-Martin
A hotel and restaurant
Haute-Vienne
33 Saint-Martin-du-Fault
87510 Nieul
Gardens open to clients
05 55 75 80 17
Jardin de Marzac
Saint Paul
Haute-Vienne
The gardens of Marzac which are attached to a country house (1860) have an avenue of Yew trees leading to a Louis XV gate, which leads onto an interior courtyard, topiary hedges and shrubs, an ancient fountain, rose walk and wild flower meadow. The park was revnovated in 2000.
Details
Free - Visits by appointment
87260 Saint-Paul
87260 SAINT PAUL
33 (0)5 55 09 71 12
GPS lat. 45° 45' 53" - long. 1° 26' 0"
Jardin du Puy Faucon
Puy Faucon
Haute-Vienne
Details
Free - Visits by appointment
Puy Faucon
87800 Rilhac-Lastours
05 55 58 10 39
Les Jardins Sonores de la Borie - Solignac
Haute-Vienne
The gardens where landscape meets art and music. These gardens were created by landscape designers, gardeners, engineers, musicians, and sculptors.
Details
87110 Solignac
Visits by appointment
05 55 31 84 84
Jardins Sonores de La Borie - The gardens that sing
Parc de Sculptures du Centre international d'art et du paysage
Ile de Vassivière
Haute-Vienne
Parks and gardens
Ile de Vassivière
87120 BEAUMONT DU LAC
Tél : 05 55 69 27 27
Fax : 05 55 69 29 31
info@ciapiledevassiviere.fr
Parc du Chateau de la Cosse
Veyrac
Haute-Vienne
Details
87520 Veyrac
Free - open by appointment and 'Journees du patrimoin'
05 55 00 14 06
Musee et Jardins Cecile Sabourdy
Vicq-sur-Breuilh
Haute-Vienne
87260 Vicq-sur-Breuilh
Details
Entry fee
06 80 70 86 58
06 18 12 40 66
Parc du Chateau de Traslage
Vic-sur-Breuihl
Haute-Vienne
87260 Vic-sur-Breuihl
Details
Entry Fee
05 55 00 60 64
Parc Zoologique et Paysager du Reynou - Le Vigen
Haute-Vienne
There are about 600 animals in the zoo, 130 species, kept in open spaces.
The landscaped park surrounds a 19th century castle and is a great way to entertain the kids.
Details
Domaine du Teynou
87110 Le Vigen
Entry fee:
13,50 Euros for adults, 9,50 Euros for children 3 - 12 years old Free for children under 3
05 55 00 40 00
Parc Zoologique et Paysager du Reynou, Limousin
Jardin de Villechenine
Villechenine
Haute-Vienne
Details
Villechenine
87470 Peyrat-le-chateau
Free - visit by appointment
05 55 69 40 42
A Guide Book to Limousin - Discover the 'Lake District of France'
Correze
Jardin Du Chateau d Astaillac
Astaillac, Correze
Correze
Terraced flower gardens enclosed by a medieval wall. or by appointment outside these dates. . Entry fee to chateau includes gardens.
Details
Open times: 1st July to 31st August or by rendez-vous
Entry fee (includes castle)
Disabled Access
05 55 91 10 28
Les Jardins Sothys, des Jardins Sensoriels et Thematiques - Auriac
Correze
Le Bourg
19220 Auriac
Details
Open seasonally
Entry Fee
05 55 91 96 89
Les Jardins de Sothys
Jardin de Lostanges - Lostange
Correze
Le SAUMONT
19500 LOSTANGES
CORREZE
FRANCE
TELEPHONE : 05 55 25 47 78
E-MAIL : labarde.philippe@neuf.fr
Jardin de Lostanges
Parc Agricole et Paysager du Chedal
Segur-le-Chateau
Correze
'Parc Agricole et Paysager' (agricultural and landscape) and has been awarded the label of 'Jardin Remarquable'
Details
Le Chedal
19230 Segur-le-Chateau
Open for 40 days during the summer
Entry Fee
06 72 51 62 79
Arboretum du Chateau de Neuvic d'Ussel
Neuvic d'Ussel
Correze
The arboretum is a 'Parc Agricole et Paysager' (agricultural and landscape) and has been awarded the label of 'Jardin Remarquable'
Details
10 place de la Mairie
19160 Neuvic d'Ussel
Open seasonally
Entry fee
05 55 95 81 31
06 73 96 48 45
Chateau du Saillant
Creuse
Parc du Chateau d'Arfeuille
Felletin
Creuse
Details
La Forge
34, Villejoint
23160 Felletin
Open Seasonally
Entry Fee
Contact Tourist Office 05 55 66 54 60
Parc du Chateau d'Arfeuille
Arboretum de la Sedelle - Crozant
Creuse
Classified as a 'Jardin remarquable'
Details
2, Villejoint
23160 Crozant
Open 1st May to 31st October
Entry Fee
05 55 89 83 16
Arboretum de la Sedelle
Les Jardins Clos du Prefons
Crozant
Creuse
Details
La Forge
34, Villejoint
23160 Crozant
Open Seasonally
Entry Fee
05 55 89 82 59
Val Maubrune
Jardin Villa Lo Tremoulado
La Pouge
Creuse
Details
23250 La Pouge
Open for special events from June to September
Free Entry
06 14 65 96 02
Arboretum de la Fôt - NOTH
Creuse
Details
Domaine de la Fôt
23300 NOTH
33 (0)5 55 63 10 06
Jardin en Marche
Saint-Dizier-Leyrenne
Creuse
Details
5 le Montabarot
23400 Saint-Dizier-Leyrenne
Gite, garden and nursery
Open by reservation
Entry Fee
05 55 64 43 98
L'Abbey du Palais
Thauron
Creuse
Details
Le Palais
23250 Thauron
B&B and gites
Park open to guests
05 55 64 02 64
There's So Much Going on in Limousin - Take a peek at just a few things to do here
- Why buy property in Limousin France
Thinking about joining us? - Limousin Cattle
World famous - China White Plates of Limoges, Princess of Porcelain
Limoges is famous for porcelain - Activity Holidays for Kids and Adults in Limousin, S W France
Limousin is a great place for outdoor and family holidays in France
Have I Convinced You That Limousin is Lovely? - Is it worth a visit?
Will you be making a trip to see the gardens of Limousin?
Where Did I Get My Information? - Links to my sources
- Parcs et Jardins Secrets en Limousin
You can discover this lavishly illustrated book (and improve your French). - Jardin de Lostanges
Limousin - Jarinage
List of parks and gardens in Limousin - Sculpture Gardens
Ile de Vassivier - Tourist Office of the Haute-Vienne
Parks and gardens
More Gardens
I need time to write them up!
Le jardin de l'un des sens DOURNAZAC
Parc des Roches Bleues AIXE SUR VIENNE
Jardin d'Anne-Marie Valette SAINT MARTIN LE VIEUX
Le Champs de Juillet LIMOGES
Jardin pédagogique VERNEUIL SUR VIENNE
Verger conservatoire du Limousin EYJEAUX
Parc de la Ménagerie MAGNAC LAVAL
Le chêne des Gâches CHATEAUPONSAC
Parc Floral de Mont-Méry AMBAZAC
Jardin du Poudrier LIMOGES
L'If de Mazeirat SAINT AMAND MAGNAZEIX
Le Jardin du Moulin SAINT PARDOUX
Promenade Gilles Clément AIXE SUR VIENNE
Site de Maison Neuve SEREILHAC
Jardin de Ginette BEYNAC
Parc du Château de Bonneval COUSSAC BONNEVAL
Chêne de la liberté BESSINES SUR GARTEMPE
Visite guidée de l'arborétum LA JONCHERE SAINT MAURICE
Jardin d'Anne-Marie Valette SAINT MARTIN LE VIEUX
Ile de Vassivière BEAUMONT DU LAC
Les deux chênes du square de la lanterne à Rancon RANCON
Parc du Château de Nexon NEXON
Jardin de 'la Cité des Insectes' NEDDE
Parc de Sculptures du Centre international d'art et du paysage BEAUMONT DU LAC
"A green thought in a green shade"
© 2013 Barbara Walton