Les Jardins de Marqueyssac

The château has two distinct sides. Facing the valley, Marqueyssac reveals a large façade flanked by a central tower containing the staircase. At the rear, the much more intimate layout, open onto the park, is reserved for the pleasure of living.

Built with great simplicity, the Château de Marqueyssac boasts a remarkable roof made from the region's typical material: lauze or stone tile. The roof weighs over five hundred tons and was fully restored between 2011 and 2017.

In the park, numerous 19th-century features enhance the stroll: belvederes, winding paths, small staircases, three dry-stone huts, a large esplanade dedicated to entertainment and gallant receptions, a rotunda, a calvary, rockeries, benches carved into the rock... and, above all, the famous gardens!

The park of Château de Marqueyssac, a listed site, is a private estate born of a family history dating back to the 17th century.

The first Marqueyssac development

Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac, King's Counsel at the Sarlat court, who acquired the property in 1692, was undoubtedly Marqueyssac's first great builder. He had the gardens laid out by Porcher, a pupil of Le Nôtre, in a series of terraces filled with formal gardens, making this one of the finest achievements of the Grand Siècle in Périgord.

From transformation into formal gardens to oblivion

In the second half of the 19th century, Louise Madeleine Vernet, great-granddaughter of Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac, married a descendant of Julien de Cerval, who transformed and expanded the gardens, making them the most beautiful in Périgord. In 1861, he transformed the old terraces into a labyrinth of small boxwood balls and introduced the ornamental species of the park: lime, Judas tree, cypress, umbrella pine and Naples cyclament. Deeply influenced by Italy, his aim was to create an exceptional pleasure garden, both poetic and picturesque, in total harmony with the surrounding landscape.
After his death, Marqueyssac fell into oblivion for a century, with vegetation gradually smothering the château and its paths, and hiding the terraces and belvederes.

Restoring the garden

In 1996, Kléber Rossillon undertook the restoration of Marqueyssac. The restoration focused on preserving the site as it was in Julien de Cerval's time, while respecting the history of the estate, the flora of the park and the architecture of the buildings. In less than 2 years, 60 companies and more than 10 gardeners have completed the restoration of the site. Restoration of the "pleasure garden" was entrusted to a boxwood specialist, who continues to maintain it to this day. The gardens have been open since March 23, 1997.

The Jardins de Marqueyssac are perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne valley.

From the château, there are 3 itineraries, all leading to the belvedere, which clings to the side of the cliff and rises to an altitude of 192 meters and a height of 130 meters! A magical place offering one of the finest panoramas of the Dordogne.

La Promenade des Falaises

This Italian-garden-style path runs along the esplanade towards the waterfalls, skirting the landscape above the ochre limestone cliffs, before ascending to the Belvedere. The setting has a fascinating Mediterranean feel, while offering magnificent views over the Dordogne valley.

The Heights Promenade

The Promenade des Hauteurs is the steepest route, leading to the Belvedere via the park's highest points: the calvary and the bell-shaped hut. This walk takes you up close to the sky, through evergreen oaks, emblems of the Périgord Noir and companions on this stroll that reveals a beautiful historical heritage and splendid surrounding landscapes.

La Grande Allée

From the château, on the northern slope of the estate, the Grande Allée, populated by box, oak and hornbeam trees, unfurls its flat, shady perspective as far as the poet's asylum, before returning to the Belvedere. All return itineraries follow this undergrowth-like path.

Although it's easy to switch from one itinerary to another, each is unique and deserves to be explored in its entirety.

Numerous events take place throughout the year at the Jardins de Marqueyssac. You and your children can take part in the Great Easter Egg Hunt, as well as various workshops dedicated to creativity and imagination. There are also bird-watching days, rock-climbing initiations and special evenings in the château grounds.

In July and August, the "Chandelles" evenings take place on Thursday evenings from 7pm to midnight, for a magical experience. Online booking is required for this event.

The Jardins de Marqueyssac are truly unlike any other garden in the Périgord, an exceptional site steeped in history and an authentic masterpiece of the art of gardening. A visit not to be missed!

The Jardins de Marqueyssac are open every day, all year round:

• February, March and October to mid-November. Opening hours : 10am - 6pm
• April, May, June, Sept: 10am - 7pm
• July, August: 9am - 8pm
• Mid-November to end of January: 2pm - 5pm

Please note that last admission is 1 hour before closing time.

Prices range from 5 euros to 11.90 euros, depending on your profile and the period of your visit. Admission is free for children under 10.

In addition to the self-guided tour, an optional guided tour (in French and English) is available at no extra charge from April to September.

On site, children can enjoy play areas, a high ropes course, swings and tree houses, as well as the boxwood turner's workshop in season, and the Aviary. You can also take part in the Via Ferrata course on the cliffside overlooking the Dordogne.

You'll also discover the Boutique-Librairie and enjoy the Salon de thé and restaurant in the château and on its panoramic terrace from April to November.

For further information, please visit the official website: https: //www.marqueyssac.com/