This Dordogne garden has just been named one of the 25 most beautiful in the world by the New York Times

The French Garden Making Waves Internationally

On May 6th, the New York Times unveiled its global selection of the 25 most beautiful gardens, curated by six renowned experts, including the French landscaper Louis Benech. Four gardens from France made the list, and among them are the magnificent Jardins de Marqueyssac, perched in Vézac, Dordogne. This unexpected recognition highlights a place of discreet charm, now ranked alongside the greatest: Rio, Cape Town, Suzhou, and the English hills of Sissinghurst.

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In France, you'll find the Bois des Moutiers garden in Varengeville-sur-Mer, the Kerdalo gardens in Trédarzec in Brittany, and the gardens of the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. 

150,000 Hand-Sculpted Boxwoods

What captivated the international jury? The unique exuberance of topiary art. Marqueyssac is like no other garden: perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dordogne valley, it showcases more than 150,000 hand-trimmed boxwoods, shaped into organic, flowing forms. A living plant spectacle, lovingly maintained every day by a passionate team of gardeners.

The reference of topiary art in France

Created in 1860 by Julien de Cerval, a traveler with a passion for botany, the gardens fell into a long slumber after his passing. It took the dedication of Kléber Rossillon at the end of the 20th century to breathe new life into them. Since then, Marqueyssac has become one of the highlight tourist sites of the Dordogne, attracting over 220,000 visitors each year, just behind Lascaux and the castle of Castelnaud.

For Nathalie Bapst, the site director, this recognition is “a lovely reward” for the whole team. She hopes it will attract even more American visitors, who are already many among the loyal ones. “The text is glowing,” she shares, amused by the numerous “marvelous” used in the article.