While visiting Dordogne it is important to take advantage of visiting at least one or two of the many famous gardens and châteaux in the region. We have selected a few to showcase for you. All suggestions are within an easy and relaxed drive of our holiday rentals and our immediate area of Hautefort, Sarlat-la-Canéda, Brantôme and Bergerac.
If you've visited Dordogne before you will know that fast travel is not the way of life, so take your time and enjoy the ride!
Dordogne is blessed by a generous amount of sunshine year round, so garden enthusiasts are not disappointed by the lush gardens that are found in all four corners of the Périgord
Since gardening is a large part of our life and the services that we offer, we thought it would be nice to share some of the gardens that we have visited and that attract numbers of visitors each year in Dordogne.
Château Hautefort. Located in the popular 'Petite Cité de Caractère' of Hautefort in North Dordogne
Chateau Hautefort is a must -visit. You will find an immaculate example dating back to the 17th century (in its present form) and hosts an impressive collection of period furniture.
Visiting the impressive Château Hautefort
The château and gardens are open every day from April to October, also weekends and bank holidays during March and November. It often hosts special events for the public to enjoy and boasts an impressive formal garden that mustn’t be missed. Our personal favourite is a yearly event, usually mid to end of August, where they host a son et lumière evening. We pique-nique in the park, watch the sunset, and wander the gardens enjoying the heady scents of the wonderfully planted borders that surround the chateau by moonlight. Followed by a candlelit walk through the little ruelles and honey stoned houses of the village before watching a visual projection outlining the major historic events of times gone by.
As of 2025 there is a new addition of a restaurant called Le Dix-Sept at the Château where you can enjoy lunch on the shady terrace while escaping the simmering heat. Worth visiting for the breathtaking view of the gardens and landscape beyond and of course the local produce. Parfait!
It is likely that the beautiful building we see today replaced a fortified refuge that was used during the 10 years war that dominated the region during the Middle Ages.
Here history runs deep
As peace settled across the land, the military capabilities were no longer required, and work started on converting the castle into somewhere more comfortable for living in.
It was during the 17th century when the Château de Hautefort as we know it today, really began to take shape. During the course of the 20th century the Baron and Baroness de Bastard spent 30 years from 1929 restoring the chateau, only to see it severely damaged by fire just after the works ended, in 1968.
Despite the loss of most of the contents and damage to the structure, the Baroness started again (the Baron de Bastard having passed away) and renovated the castle a second time
Nowadays, we like to imagine the social events and entertainment that must’ve taken place within the château over the years while we’re wandering around the gardens.
Château Milandes located on the river Dordogne
Château Milandes can be found nestling on the banks of the river Dordogne and is one of the most accessible, and interesting, châteaux of the region.
Until 1789 it was used more as a residence than a fortified castle (see Castelnaud La Chapelle) by the Caumont family however it was abandoned and fell into disrepair in the years that followed the revolution.
Major renovation began around 1900 which restored many of the original features and added some impressive new ones too, such as romantic balconies, medieval-style gargoyles and a new tower. A formal garden was commissioned, as well as a winery and farm.
Possibly the most famous resident of Château Milandes was Josephine Baker, the American-born singer/dancer/performer.
She began living in the chateau in 1940 and actively served with the French resistance during World War 2, following which she began to raise her family of 12 adopted children, who she lovingly referred to as the 'rainbow tribe'.
Château de Bourdeilles a little further afield in the Dronne Valley
Here you will find a medieval fortress and a Renaissance Palace. This beautiful château was built on a rocky spur surmounting the Dronne river in the 12th century. Its octagonal dungeon offers breathtaking views of the river and village. You will find the chateaus rooms sumptuously decorated and apparently with more than 700 furnishings from the 14th – 19th century, said to be the finest in France. Themed workshops and evening visits are also on offer here.
The gardens of Eyrignac, the crème de la crème of gardens, located close to the popular tourist hotspot of Sarlat-la-Canéda
Five centuries of passion to create a paradise! One of the best known gardens of the Périgord, and is looked after with the utmost care by traditional French gardeners.
There is said to be 300 neatly sculpted topiary pieces, plays of light and shade, fountains and mirrors of water celebrating the colours for each season. This is one of the attractions which is open (‘toute l'année) Open all Year.
Jardins Panoramique is small but absolutely worth visiting, as is the 'plus beau village' of Limeul itself
Perching atop one of France's all time most beautiful villages' you can smell the history. Situated where once upon a time a chateau stood, this space has been transformed into a haven of peace and life.
Spectacular 360 degree view of the eternal encounter between rivers Dordogne and Vézère. Walks, educational tours and entertaining workshops are all on offer.
Travelling to these attractions from our holiday homes is very simple. All are located within a one-hour drive. If you've visited Dordogne before, you will know that fast travel is not the way of life, so take your time and enjoy the ride!
It would be essential to have a car to get to the gardens we have mentioned, as they are a little off the beaten track. Our advice would be to pack a pique-nique (or visit a boulangerie en-route!) and immerse yourself in rural French life for the day. You will find numerous well sign-posted pique-nique spots along the way, or you could simply enjoy déjeuner whilst wandering the gardens at your leisure. Parfait!
Whichever you choose we hope you have found this an interesting read, there are of course many many more chateaux and gardens in the area, such as the ever famous Jardins of Marqueyssac located close to the famous Dordogne Valley.
If you are interested in visiting and would like to have a look at our selection of Holiday Accommodation here in Dordonge, please click here:
Voila Villas France - Self Catering Accommodation
Thanks for reading
Bonne journée, Joni et Ross