Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire, a garden in south west France

Visit 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-Lavilledieu. The gardens occupy different terraces up the hillside.

Explore the Jardins de l'Imaginaire

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.

The highlight of the garden is probably the beautiful fountain area where on a hot day you can cool yourself down in the spray. One side of the area is planted with a mass of pale yellow stripey bamboo and on the other side a cascade of water falls down steps built into the hillside. The sides of the cascade are planted with a mass of plants and shrubs of a Mediterranean style.

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 fuchsias

There are 13 different gardens each with an individual style

Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire garden guide

The garden is open May, June, September and October: 10.00 to 11.30 and 14.00 to 17.30 (closed Tuesday) and July, August: 10.00 to 18.00 every day.

Tours begin every half hour and last about an hour.

Visits to Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire are with a guide only. The price is 7.50 euros for adults and 4.50 euros for 10 to 17 year olds. Under 10s are free.

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