Les Jardins Sothys
AURIAC
From 11.50€ - Basic price - full adult price
Gardens
Straddling the departments of Corrèze and Dordogne, the Brive region is home to a variety of gardens: a literary garden, a contemporary garden, water gardens and two castle gardens. All are located less than an hour from Brive-la-Gaillarde, making it easy to plan a half-day, a full day or a weekend tailored to your preferences.
Whether you’re visiting with your family, as a couple or as a botany enthusiast, this selection will help you choose based on the atmosphere, the length of your visit and the season. For each location, you’ll find practical information, our tips and ideas for combined itineraries.
6 very different gardens to explore
1
Colette’s Gardens in Varetz
The Jardins de Colette pay tribute to the novelist who was the lady of Castel-Novel, in Varetz, from 1911 to 1923. Spanning 5 hectares, the trail takes visitors on a journey from region to region, from the Burgundy of her childhood to the gardens of the Palais-Royal where she spent her final years, via Brittany and Corrèze. Visitors can wander amongst flowerbeds, a vegetable garden, giant wooden play structures and a 5,000 m² maze, which is a big hit with children.
10 minutes from Brive-La-Gaillarde
2
The Gardens of the Imagination in Terrasson-Lavilledieu
Hovering above the Vézère, in the heart of the Périgord Noir, the Jardins de l’Imaginaire were designed in 1996 by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson. Spanning over 6 hectares, they feature 13 themed gardens which, with their very contemporary lines, illustrate the dialogue between humankind and nature. A golden ribbon winds its way through the trees from the entrance, water features are everywhere, and the open-air theatre offers a stunning view of the old town.
20 minutes from Brive-La-Gaillarde
3
The Water Gardens in Carsac-Aillac
The Water Gardens feature a network of ponds, streams and waterfalls along the banks of the Dordogne, covering an area of around four and a half hectares. Water lilies and lotus flowers grow alongside hundreds of aquatic plants, Japanese bridges and footbridges skimming the water’s surface. The site’s main attraction is its aquatic maze, covering more than 2,800 m² and described as unique in Europe, featuring water features that delight children.
55 minutes from Brive.
4
The Sothys Gardens in Auriac
In Auriac, in Haute-Corrèze, the cosmetics brand Sothys has created its gardens on the ancestral estate of its founder, Bernard Mas. Designed in a contemporary style by the Callarec studio, they unfold into a series of enclosed, intimate gardens, each centred around a particular sensation: the softness of velvet, opalescent whiteness, and a nod to the Egyptian goddess Sothys. Four hectares of botanical gardens extend into a wooded park, and the site has been awarded the ‘Jardin Remarquable’ designation.
1½ hours from Brive-La-Gaillarde
5
The Gardens of Hautefort Castle
Nicknamed the ‘Versailles of the Périgord’, the Château de Hautefort overlooks the countryside from its rocky outcrop, and its gardens benefit from this exceptional setting. On the terraces, the French-style gardens feature intricate patterns of trimmed boxwood and offer sweeping views across the Périgord Noir. They are extended by an English-style park covering some thirty hectares, perfect for a more leisurely stroll. The entire complex, which is listed and has been awarded the ‘Remarkable Garden’ label, can be visited alongside the château.
40 minutes from Brive-La-Gaillarde.
6
The Garden at Peyraux Castle in Lardin-Saint-Lazare
Set in a wooded valley near the Vézère, Peyraux Castle – built in the 15th century and extended in the 18th – is a listed building situated within a 170-hectare protected site. Its terraced gardens, featuring rows of lime trees, boxwood topiaries and a small medieval-inspired pond, can be explored on a guided tour led by the owners, who also recount the castle’s history. Access is by appointment or during scheduled tours: an intimate garden, reserved for visitors who appreciate secluded spots.
30 minutes from Brive-La-Gaillarde.
Ready-made itineraries
Family Garden Weekend
- Day 1 in Corrèze: a visit to the Jardins de Colette (1). The garden tour is enhanced by a range of giant games available to visitors. It’s the perfect way to create wonderful family memories. Not to mention the butterfly-shaped maze. You’ll need to solve puzzles to get through the gates and hopefully find your way out as quickly as possible! Your visit could last anywhere from 1½ hours… to a whole day!
Top tip: bring a picnic and make the adventure last longer. Tables are provided for this purpose. And if you fancy a treat, a tea room serves crêpes, waffles and ice cream, accompanied by hot or cold drinks, whichever you prefer. What’s more, don’t forget the two highlights of the Jardins de Colette: Easter and Halloween. Special activities and decorations are on offer on these occasions.
To round off the day, you can play at being an explorer and try one of the geocaching trails in our area. There are about ten in total. You can stroll through Brive town centre, discover the listed village of Saint-Robert… All within 20 minutes of the Jardins de Colette.
Return journey by car: 40 to 60 minutes (depending on the geocaching location chosen)
- Day 2 in the Dordogne: a visit to the Carsac Water Gardens. (3) (open from May to the end of September)
Children will love walking along the 550-metre footbridge right at water level. They’ll be able to discover the wildlife (dragonflies, frogs and koi carp) and aquatic flora, including lotus flowers at eye level, water features and dynamic water jets…To round off this Perigord getaway, you could try an escape game in Sarlat (Under Escape), or visit one of the many nearby castles: Fénelon Castle or Paluel Castle.
Return journey by car: 1 hour 45 minutes
Nature and Wellbeing Getaway
- The Jardins Sothys experience is comprehensive and offers a full-day getaway promising relaxation and wellbeing. (From late April to mid-October).
On the programme: a tour of the gardens followed by some time to unwind. Nestled in the woodland with views over the gardens, the ‘Bulle de Soin’ offers facial and body treatments inspired by Sothys rituals, as well as massages. The space is designed as a soothing sanctuary, extending the sensory experience of the garden tour. You can then enjoy a gourmet break at the restaurant, housed in the old barn facing the lake, before picking up a souvenir from the shop. To extend your getaway, the Maison des Jardins, a charming holiday cottage situated 700 metres away, accommodates up to eight people. An ideal stay for a rejuvenating getaway as a couple, with friends or with family.Return journey by car from Brive: 2 hours 40 minutes
From gardens to historic stone buildings: a day between Corrèze and Périgord
- Stage 1: start the day by exploring the Jardins de l’Imaginaire. Thirteen themed gardens explore the relationship between people, water and the landscape. Exceptional panoramic views. A remarkable vantage point over the Vézère valley. Allow 1 hour 10 minutes for a guided tour using the app. Next, visit ‘Vieux Terrasson’ and explore the old shops and Saint-Sour Abbey.
Allow 20 minutes’ drive between Brive and Terrasson. - Stage 2: explore Hautefort Castle and its French-style gardens. Listed as a ‘Remarkable Garden’, the gardens at Hautefort can be visited alongside the castle, which is still inhabited. Dogs on a lead are allowed in the gardens and grounds. A visit that will appeal to lovers of history, heritage and sweeping panoramic views. Please note that on Wednesday evenings during the summer, dramatised tours are organised. Dinners on the château’s terrace are also available by booking. Check their calendar.
Allow 30 minutes for the journey between Terrasson and Hautefort. Time required to visit the gardens and the château: 2 to 2½ hours. - Stage 3: make the most of the return journey to stop off at the village of Saint-Robert, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. You can stroll through the old streets, discover beautiful stately homes as you wander down the narrow lanes, and enjoy the magnificent view from the terrace at the rear of the church. There are two highlights to note during the summer: the ‘Festive Fridays’ (farmers’ markets in the village square from 7.00 pm) and the Saint-Robert Music Festival.
Allow 20 minutes for the journey between Hautefort and Saint-Robert and 30 to 45 minutes for your visit.
The return journey between Saint-Robert and Brive will take 30 minutes.
- Take a look at our tourist map, which shows you where the various sites are in relation to one another Lire
Our answers to your questions
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Jardins du Château de Hautefort
HAUTEFORT
Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire
TERRASSON-LAVILLEDIEU
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