Visit Parc du Sarrat
The Parc du Sarrat is situated in Dax in the Landes department of south west of France. The garden is a classified 'jardin remarquable'.
The Parc du Sarrat is also called the Domaine du Sarrat and the Parc Botanique du Sarrat.
Explore the Parc du Sarrat
After studying architecture René Guichemerre came to Sarrat and designed a contemporary garden around his house. Upon his death he left the garden to the town of Dax and it is now open for visits.
The garden consists of various different elements including terraces leading to a large water feature.
There is a formal French-style garden with a long central pathway leading to the main water feature. There are also landscaped gardens, a bamboo garden, an orchard and a large vegetable garden which includes a lot of unusual varieties of vegetables.
The park contains more than 800 trees and 1500 shrubs and lots of rare and protected species can be seen in this garden. In all the garden covers 3 hectares.
René Guichemerre's house is also noteworthy - it is inspired by the buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and uses lots of glass.
Fairly new to the garden is a 'garden of the 5 senses' where you can wear a blindfold and discover sections of the garden dedicated to each of the 5 senses including identifying scents and tastes.
At the end of this section take off the blindfold to discover a colour wheel of flowers which could be useful in helping you to identify flowers for your own colour schemes back home.
Parc du Sarrat garden guide
The Parc du Sarrat is open from March to the end of November; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 15h30. All visits are with a guide. The price of a visit is 4.20 euros for adults, children and students are free.
Garden visits are guided in order to protect the flora and fauna some of which are quite rare. The gardens though are open for non guided visits each year for the 'Rendez-vous aux jardins' and the 'Journées Européennes du Patrimoine'.
The garden is situated in the Landes department at Dax.
Address: Parc du Sarrat, Rue du Sel Gemme, 40100 Dax
Gardens to visit nearby
If you are heading for the coast do not miss a visit to the Promenade Fleurie at Mimizan. It is a wonderful lakeside walk that has been beautifully planted and is free to visit.
The gardens of the Chateau de Momas near to Pau is a pretty garden surrounding a small chateau.
The Roserai de Saint Vincent is one of the most popular gardens in this area and contains hundreds of roses. It also a rose nursery.
You can find more local travel ideas in the South West France guide,
Map of Parc du Sarrat and places to visit
Parc du Sarrat places to visit
La Promenade Fleurie
The Promenade Fleurie is a stunning garden walk around a lake near the beach resort of Mimizan.
La Promenade Fleurie guide
Jardins du Chateau de Momas
The Jardins du Chateau de Momas, near to Pau, contains lots of rare plants.
Jardins du Chateau de Momas guide
La Roseraie de Saint-Vincent
The Rosarie de Saint Vincent is a popular rose garden with a nursery with views over the foothills of the Pyrenees.
La Roseraie de Saint-Vincent 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
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
