Pretty gardens and park surrounding the Chateau de Campagne in the Dordogne

Photo of Gardens of the Chateau de Campagne

Visit Gardens of the Chateau de Campagne

The Chateau de Campagne is in the village of Campagne in the Dordogne between Les Eyzies and Le Bugue. The chateau lies in the Vezere valley which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its prehistoric sites.

The lovely gardens around the chateau are perfect for a leisurely stroll to enjoy the tranquility and the village itself is very pretty.

Explore the gardens of the Chateau de Campagne

The Chateau de Campagne is a beautiful castle that was built in the 15, 17th and 18th century following the burning down of the previous 12th century castle. In the 19th century the castle was renovated to make it more comfortable and more stylish.

An architect from Bordeaux designed the changes in the neogothic style that was fashionable at the time. The castle was bequethed to the state in the 1970s and lovingly restored in recent years.

As part of the restoration the gardens were also transformed. The park surrounding the gardens has been planted in the style of a 19th century English country park and is full of ancient trees including giant redwoods and centuries old cedar trees.

To this beautiful park setting a small stream and a couple of ponds in the grounds have been redirected and given a long serpentine shape that meanders along the edge of the garden. The stream opens out into a large pond at one point with a wonderful view of the castle across the water. Beautiful borders have been created along the edges of the stream and planted with 5000 perennials.

A path has been created all along the borders so that both the planting and the views of the castle from the gardens can be fully appreciated.

On the other side of the castle from the serpentine garden are a series of three symetrical gardens. One is an orchard whose goal is to create a collection of ancient fruit trees. Next is a labyrinth which will be especially interesting to families with children.

In the third section is a medieval inspired garden with vegetables, herbs and plants once used for other purposes such as the dying of fabric.

Next to here is the gardeners house and the greenhouse where plants for the park are propogated and cared for.

Another highlight of the park is on the east side of the park where 139 steps invite you to climb and get another perspective over the park. From here you can enter the woods which you are free to explore.

Gardens of the Chateau de Campagne visitor information

The gardens are open from 10 am to 4pm in November and March, from 10 am to 6pm in April, May, June, September and October; and from 10am to 8pm in July and August.

The gardens are closed in December, January and February except for school holidays.

The gardens are free to visit. The castle is not open to visitors except when hosting exhibitions.

Gardens to visit nearby

The Chartreuse du Colombier on the edge of the village of Paunat has a lovely garden surrounding an old manor house.

The Jardins Suspendus de Marqueyssac are one of the most visited gardens in the Dordogne and have an incredible display of swirling box hedges and great views over the Dordogne river.

You can find more local travel ideas in the South West France guide,