Le Jardin de Boissonna, a garden in south west France

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,