
Visit Le Jardin de Boissonna
The Jardin de Boissonna is a garden near to Duras in the Lot et Garonne department in south west France. The garden has been classified as one of the "Remarkable gardens" of France.
Explore Le Jardin de Boissonna
A fairly small garden but the borders of Le Jardin de Boissonna are packed with plants including more than 450 varieties of roses. After exploring the garden relax with a cream tea, homemade scones and jam - delicious!
The gardens began life as George Beylard gradually built up a garden around his daughter's house. His daughter had fallen under the spell of English style gardens during a visit in England and the gardens were developed in a very English style.
Gradually the gardens grew and friends as well as family became involved in developing and caring for the garden. In 2004 the garden was opened to the public.
There are six gardens, each spreading out from the main path. Roses are a dominant feature of the gardens and include many climbing varieties which climb through trees bushes and pergolas. Some of these are quite rare and will be a treat for keen botanists.
As well as roses there is a beautiful selection of shrubs, perennials and grasses to keep the interest and colour going throughout the open season.
A lemon tree, cedars, pines and cyprusses give the garden a southern feel and an abundance of drought living plants add to its mediterranean influence albeit planted in a relaxed English style.
As well as being garden enthusiasts the family are keen nature lovers and members of the bird protection league. Birds are encouraged, fed and housed in the garden and chemicals avoided to protect the habitats for the birds.
Le Jardin de Boissonna garden guide
The garden is open from 10.00 to 18.00 from early May to late September; Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Mondays and bank holidays.
Visits cost 6 euros and tea 7 eursos.
There is also a tea room selling cream teas with jams made from rose petals and rose tea - using roses from the garden. There is also coffee and a local artisanal ice-cream on offer and so something for everyone.
The garden is situated very close to Duras and its chateau in the Lot et Garonne department of France.
Address: Le Jardin de Boissonna, 47210 Baleyssagues
Gardens to visit nearby
The charming Jardin de Mireille is nearby at Auriac sur dropt. Visits are by rendez-vous only. Roses and Irises are a speciality of this garden.
Not too far away is the Jardins de Sardy which has one of the best ornamental ponds we have seen in French gardens. It is surrounded by beautiful planting and animated with a lovely display of fountains.
Latour Marliac is also a treat to see the National Collection of water lilies and the beautiful art deco ponds created by M. Marliac. Latour Marliac was the supplier of water lilies to Monet for his famous waterlily ponds at Giverny.
You can find more local travel ideas in the South West France guide,
Map of Le Jardin de Boissonna and places to visit
Le Jardin de Boissonna places to visit

Les Jardins de Sardy
Les Jardins de Sardy is a lovely garden with a magnificent pool.
Les Jardins de Sardy guide
Garden of the cloitre de l'eglise Notre Dame
The Cloister garden of the Notre Dame church in Marmande is a small garden with topiaries and parterres.
Garden of the cloitre de l'eglise Notre Dame guide
Les Jardins de Beauchamp
The Jardins de Beauchamp is a large garden with lots of areas in different styles. It is also attached to a good garden centre.
Les Jardins de Beauchamp guide
Latour Marliac Le Jardin des Nenuphars
Latour Marliac is a beautiful nursery and garden and has the National Collection of water lilies.
Latour Marliac Le Jardin des Nenuphars guide
Jardins du Chateau de Mongenan
The Jardins du Chateau de Mongenan to the south of Bordeaux have grown up round the chateau which is also a museum.
Jardins du Chateau de Mongenan guide
Les jardins de la Brande
Les Jardins de la Brande once had a great display of willow woven cabins but is now a garden centre which hosts a garden fair twice a year.
Les jardins de la Brande guide