23rd edition · Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026.
National theme: "The five senses of the garden: sight". Free entry or reduced rate depending on the site — 28 participating gardens in the Dordogne.
Every year as spring turns, the "Rendez-vous aux jardins" transform the Dordogne into a vast open-air landscape of greenery and beauty. For this 23rd edition devoted to sight, historic parks, contemporary gardens and secret havens welcome young and old with rare generosity. Workshops with the gardeners, botanical walks, open-air concerts: the programme promises two days of discovery within easy reach of Domaine de Pouzelande. Here is our selection of five gardens to add to your weekend without hesitation.
1. The Alaije botanical garden — Brantôme en Périgord (Périgord Vert)
40 minutes from Domaine de Pouzelande.
Just minutes from Domaine de Pouzelande, the Alaije botanical garden is one of the botanical gems of the Périgord Vert. Tucked away in the lush greenery typical of this northern part of the Dordogne, it brings together a remarkable collection of medicinal, aromatic and ornamental plants, arranged in themed beds that invite you to slow down and engage all your senses. For this edition devoted to sight, the passionate volunteers who run the garden offer guided tours to read the shapes, colours and plant architecture that make up the place.
Good to know: Brantôme, nicknamed the "Venice of the Périgord", is worth a stop before or after your visit. The riverside walk along the Dronne and the Benedictine abbey founded by Charlemagne are just steps away.
2. The gardens and park of Château de Hautefort (Périgord Noir)
"Jardin Remarquable" (Remarkable Garden) label.
Dominating the Auvézère valley from its promontory, Château de Hautefort is one of the most impressive monuments in the Dordogne. Its French formal gardens, clipped with meticulous precision, form a striking setting where the perspectives come into their own. The box-hedge parterres frame a panoramic view over the village and the wooded hills of the Périgord: a first-rate argument for this year's theme.
For the garden open days, the estate's gardeners share their know-how and reveal the secrets of maintaining these impeccably ordered surfaces. A rare chance to go behind the scenes of an exceptional garden.
Tip: allow at least two hours on site. The château can be visited alongside the gardens, and combining the two makes for a complete experience.
3. The panoramic gardens of Limeuil (Dordogne Valley)
One of the "Plus Beaux Villages de France" (Most Beautiful Villages of France).
Perched at the top of one of the most beautiful villages in France, this garden delivers on its promise from the very first bend in the path: the view over the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers is simply breathtaking. You understand at once why this site was chosen to illustrate the "sight" theme of this 2026 edition.
On the hillside, the panoramic gardens unfold across flowered terraces, planted with species chosen for their shapes, hues and scents. The weekend's activities invite visitors, in particular, to observe and sketch the landscapes stretching to the horizon, blending artistic practice with immersion in nature.
Combine it with: the village of Limeuil itself is worth a stroll. Its medieval lanes, its markets and its riverside beaches make it an ideal spot for a family picnic.
4. The Gardens of the Imaginary — Terrasson-Lavilledieu (Périgord Noir)
"Jardin Remarquable" label · Contemporary design.
A Franco-American creation designed by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, the Gardens of the Imaginary (Jardins de l'Imaginaire) opened in 1996 and have never ceased to surprise their visitors since. Spread over six hectares overlooking the Vézère valley, they offer thirteen themed tableaux that revisit the founding myths of garden history: the sacred wood, the rose garden, the green theatre, the fountain of the senses.
For this edition centred on sight, the garden lends itself wonderfully to sensory exploration: the carefully framed perspectives, the water features and the plant structures create a succession of living frames that each visitor composes in their own way.
Good to know: the visit is at your own pace, with free access along the paths. Wear good shoes, as the ground is hilly.
5. Eyrignac and its gardens — Salignac-Eyvigues (Périgord Noir)
"Jardin Remarquable" label · Historic Monument.
It is impossible to speak of the gardens of the Périgord without naming Eyrignac. Listed as Historic Monuments and tended for five centuries by the same family, these ten hectares of plant sculpture are the absolute reference for topiary art in France. Hornbeam, yew, box and cypress are clipped entirely by hand to form volumes, shaded walks, green rooms and French formal parterres of remarkable precision.
For this garden open days weekend, the Eyrignac gardeners give pruning demonstrations and share their tips for caring for topiary at home. A precious introduction to the art of giving shape to plants.
A seasonal tip: arrive at opening time (9:30 am) to enjoy the gardens in the morning light, before the rush of visitors. The "Côté Jardins" restaurant offers lunch menus with no reservation needed.
Practical information for the weekend of 6–7 June 2026
Dates: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June 2026 (Friday 5 June reserved for school groups).2026 theme:
"The five senses of the garden: sight".Participating gardens: 28 sites across the Dordogne, public and private, some exceptionally open for the occasion.
Prices: free entry or reduced rate depending on the site.Official programme:
rendezvousauxjardins.culture.gouv.frDomaine de Pouzelande, your ideal starting point in the DordogneSet in the heart of the Périgord Blanc, 15 minutes from Périgueux and 40 minutes from Brantôme, Domaine de Pouzelande offers the perfect base for this weekend of gardens. Our charming guest rooms and gîtes let you explore the whole Dordogne at your own pace, and round off the experience with a swim in our two pools or a game of tennis on your return from sightseeing.