Gardens of the Imagination

The Gardens of the Imagination is a contemporary garden in the Dordogne that spreads across multiple levels, connecting various zones with water, roses, tunnels, and wooded areas. The design uses natural materials throughout and takes advantage of views toward the Vézère river.

The gardens were created in 1996 by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson and architect Ian Ritchie as a contemporary garden project. The site subsequently gained recognition as one of France's Notable Gardens.

The garden presents mythological narratives through its thirteen distinct zones, where natural materials and water features create visual stories about human relationships with nature. Visitors can experience these themes directly as they move through each uniquely designed section.

The site is located near Sarlat and the Lascaux caves, making it easy to visit as part of a broader tour of the region. Wear proper footwear for walking across multiple terraced levels with varied terrain.

The garden was deliberately designed as an artwork that translates mythological stories into landscape forms rather than simply depicting them visually. This approach of telling stories through the shaping of the land itself makes the project distinctive in garden design.