French Gardens

Gardens in France > > Les Jardins de l\'Imaginaire

Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire is a contemporary garden that has been planted up a hillside overlooking the lovely town of Terrasson.  The gardens occupy different terraces up the hillside.

The town of Terrasson decided they wanted to create a garden on the slopes above their town and launched an international competition to find a designer.The competition winners were  the French-American designer Kathryn Gustafson and her partner Philippe Marchand and the gardens were created in the 1990s. The gardens cover 6 hectares and took 4 years to create.

Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire were classified as 'Jardins Remarquable' by the French Ministry for Culture in 2004. They have also been labelled as an important '20th century heritage site' by the French Ministry for Culture for its modern architecture displayed in its greenhouse and hard landscaping.

The garden contains 13 different areas including: a long tunnel covered in wisteria, clematis, jasmine and other climbers; a contemporary rose garden which includes 1600 roses plus 360 climbing roses; a wonderful fountain walk which follows a water trail down cascades; a topiary garden - essential in a French garden; and a greenhouse designed by British architect Ian Ritchie.

Ian Ritchie's greenhouse has won various international awards for its design.

On a summers day wandering through the gardens which sit high above the town of Terrasson is a real pleasure. The blues of the nepetas and perovskia's reflect the blue slate rooves of the town of Terrasson below and there is a lovely modern water garden, where on a hot day you can cool yourself down in the spray.

Some interesting facts about the Jardins de l'Imaginaire

The gardens receive 40000 visitors a year

The garden contains 2000 roses, 20000 perennials, 2000 irises

• There are more than 150 different species of plant in the gardens
• There are 8000 trees and bushes including rare species
• A massive 120 jets of water are used in the garden
• There is a collection of irises and of fuchias

Visits to Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire are with a guide only.

Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire Garden Guide:

The garden is open:

April, May, June ,September and October: 10h00 to 11h30 and 14h00 to 17h00 (closed Tuesday)

July, August: 10h00 to 18h00 every day

Tours begin every half hour and last about an hour.

The Jardin de l'Imaginaire is situated in the town of Terrasson in the Dordogne. Between Perigueux and Brive la Gaillarde.

Address:

Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire

Place de Genouillac

24120 Terrasson

Tel: 05 53 50 86 82

http://www.jardins-imaginaire.com/