Gardens of Marqueyssac
Vézac, France
Hanging gardens of clipped boxwood on a ridge, with a belvedere 130 m above the Dordogne. About 6 km of paths wind through the gardens; candlelit evenings run on summer Thursdays.
The Gardens of Marqueyssac stand on a 22-hectare rocky spur above the Dordogne. Their hallmark is some 150,000 hand-clipped box trees: Julien de Cerval, who inherited the estate in 1861, spent the last thirty years of his life embellishing it and had tens of thousands of them planted. The gardens have been open to the public since March 1997, and the manor house, with its roof of more than 500 tonnes of limestone slabs (lauzes), is a listed historic monument.
More than 6 km of shaded paths, divided into three circuits, lead to rock gardens, waterfalls and viewpoints. The belvedere stands at 192 m, 130 m above the river. From August to October, Neapolitan cyclamens form colourful carpets. On Thursdays in July and August there are candlelit evenings with around 2,000 candles (as of October 2026: the 2026 programme; check dates for the next season with the operator). Tickets for these are sold online in advance only, and visitors are advised to arrive at least an hour before sunset.
- Nearest town
- Vézac, France
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 44.8260, 1.1670
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Aire Camping-Car Park de VézacMotorhome stopover0 km from Gardens of Marqueyssac · 18 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Les MagnanasCampsite1 km from Gardens of Marqueyssac · 73 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Aire CAMPING-CAR PARK de Vézac, châteaux en PérigordMotorhome stopover1 km from Gardens of MarqueyssacMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Slow Village Saint-Cybranet - PérigordCampsite4 km from Gardens of MarqueyssacTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping Le PerpetuumCampsite4 km from Gardens of Marqueyssac · 120 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- La Rivière de DommeCampsite5 km from Gardens of MarqueyssacTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToiletsWi-Fi
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Gardens of Marqueyssac?
Gardens of Marqueyssac is in Vézac, France, at GPS 44.8260, 1.1670. It is about 8 km from Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Can you camp near Gardens of Marqueyssac?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Aire Camping-Car Park de Vézac, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 172 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Gardens of Marqueyssac?
Gardens of Marqueyssac is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Périgord: Brantôme, the Vézère and Dordogne castles.
What is there to see near Gardens of Marqueyssac?
Places worth a stop nearby: Château de Castelnaud (2 km), Château de Beynac (2 km), Domme (5 km) and Sarlat-la-Canéda Old Town (8 km).
When is the best time to visit Gardens of Marqueyssac?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)