At the end of a narrow lane winding through the oak woods, the scenery suddenly changes. Yews clipped into perfect cones, box hedges sculpted like waves, green alleys drawn with a ruler in front of a honey-coloured stone manor: welcome to the Eyrignac gardens, one of the most photographed places in the Périgord Noir. In October, when the surrounding forest turns copper and the morning mist clings to the topiaries, the walk takes on a very special softness.
History of the estate, the seven gardens, prices, opening hours, visit length and practical tips: here is our guide to visiting Eyrignac and its gardens from Château de Maraval, our 4-star boutique hotel near Sarlat-la-Canéda.
The Eyrignac gardens at a glance
Before going into detail, here are the essentials to help you plan your visit.
- Where? In Salignac-Eyvigues, in the Dordogne, about fifteen kilometres north of Sarlat-la-Canéda.
- What? Around 10 hectares of gardens divided into seven areas, surrounding a golden stone manor, with more than 300 plant sculptures in yew, box, hornbeam and cypress.
- Who for? Garden lovers, photographers, families and anyone looking for a peaceful visit between two castles.
- When? The gardens are open every day, all year round, with opening hours that vary with the seasons.
- Any label? The gardens of the Eyrignac manor are listed as a Jardin Remarquable (Remarkable Garden).
The history of Eyrignac, five centuries of family passion
What strikes you most at Eyrignac is its continuity. The estate has belonged to the same family, the Sermadiras, for around 500 years and more than twenty generations. The manor, built in the blond stone typical of the Sarlat area, is still lived in by its owners.
Yet the gardens you see today are fairly recent in their current form. In the 1960s, Gilles Sermadiras set out to recreate the spirit of the French formal gardens that once surrounded the house, adding Italian influences. He designed the perspectives and plant sculptures himself. His son, Patrick Sermadiras, has continued the work and enriched the estate with new spaces such as the kitchen garden and the flower garden, with the touch of Capucine Sermadiras.
The name Eyrignac is said to come from Occitan and to mean “the place where water flows”. The estate does indeed have seven springs, which feed its pools and fountains.
What to see in the Eyrignac gardens
The visit is self-guided, at your own pace, with a map available in several languages and information panels along the route. Here are the spaces not to miss.
The Hornbeam Alley and the French formal garden
This is Eyrignac’s most famous view: a long alley of clipped hornbeams framing yew cones, leading the eye out to the landscape. The French formal garden plays with lines, symmetry and a few optical illusions. Depending on where you stand, the hedges seem to stretch out or close in.
The topiaries, heart of the estate
The richness of its topiaries has made the gardens famous. More than 300 plant shapes are maintained by hand by a team of gardeners, using shears, string lines and plumb lines, just as in the old days. The volume and variety of these green sculptures are remarkable: balls, cones, waves and spirals, always perfectly precise.
The Chinese pagoda and the spring garden
Around a grove, a Chinese pagoda adds an unexpected note to the setting. Further on, the spring garden showcases water, its pools and reflections, in a cooler and more intimate atmosphere.
The White Garden
White roses, clipped hedges and immaculate lawns: the White Garden is one of the most elegant parts of the estate. In summer, it hosts the famous white picnics. In autumn, it keeps a very graphic simplicity.
The kitchen garden and the flower garden
Freer and more colourful, the kitchen garden and the flower garden show another side of Eyrignac. Heritage vegetables, cut flowers and wandering plants create scenes that change with the seasons.
The botanical trails
To extend your walk, two trails of about 2.5 km and 4.5 km explore the flora of the Périgord, in the woodland surrounding the gardens.
Visiting the Eyrignac gardens in autumn
Gardens are often associated with sunny days, but autumn is a wonderful season to discover Eyrignac. The evergreen topiaries keep their deep green while the surrounding forest turns yellow, orange and copper. The contrast is superb in photos, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is low.
Outside the school holidays, visitor numbers are also lower than in high summer, so you can enjoy the great perspectives more peacefully. Depending on the year, the estate offers seasonal events, notably around Halloween and Christmas. Check the programme before you come.
If you love hanging gardens, combine your visit with the Marqueyssac gardens, whose box trees overlook the Dordogne valley: two styles, two atmospheres, one shared passion for the art of topiary.
Eyrignac gardens: prices and opening hours
Prices
As a guide, the prices displayed by the estate are as follows:
- adults: €13.90 (€12.90 online);
- children aged 5 to 10: €7;
- teenagers aged 11 to 17: €9;
- family pass (2 adults and up to 3 children): €42;
- children under 5: free.
Reduced prices are available for students and people with disabilities, and a lower winter rate applies during certain periods. For the curious, the estate also offers private experiences, such as a visit with one of the gardeners.
Opening hours
The Eyrignac gardens are open every day of the year. Opening hours change with the seasons: in winter, opening times are shorter and may include a midday break. Before setting off, check the latest hours and prices on the official Eyrignac and its gardens website, where you can also buy your tickets online.
Our tips for planning your visit
- Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the gardens, more if you follow a botanical trail.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the alleys are grassy and can be damp in the morning in autumn.
- Dogs are welcome on a lead.
- The site holds the Tourisme et Handicap label, and wheelchairs can be lent on request. Part of the gardens is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- Bring your camera: the perspectives of the Hornbeam Alley are spectacular.
Eating on site
At the entrance to the gardens, the Côté Jardins restaurant and tea room is perfect for lunch or a sweet break. A free, shaded picnic area is also available, along with a shop. Parking is free. For more practical information, Dordogne Périgord Tourisme has a detailed page about the site.
Getting to the Eyrignac gardens from Sarlat and Château de Maraval
The gardens are located in Salignac-Eyvigues, in the countryside north of Sarlat-la-Canéda. The car is the easiest way to get there: from the centre of Sarlat, allow about twenty minutes along the small roads of the Périgord Noir.
From Château de Maraval, in Cénac-et-Saint-Julien, south of Sarlat, you simply cross the town to reach Salignac. It is a good opportunity to stop in the medieval town on the way there or back. Our guide on what to do in Sarlat (in French) will help you plan the day.
What to do around the Eyrignac gardens
The north of the Sarlat area is a beautiful region to explore, with stone villages, castles and wooded valleys.
- Salignac-Eyvigues: the neighbouring village, with its lanes and medieval castle, is worth a short stroll.
- Sarlat-la-Canéda: about twenty minutes away, the medieval town and its Saturday morning market are a must.
- Lascaux 4: in Montignac, the International Centre for Cave Art presents the paintings of the famous cave. Our guide to visiting Lascaux 4 from Sarlat will help you organise that day.
- The Vézère valley: characterful villages and prehistoric sites are the perfect complement to a trip north of Sarlat.
Extend your getaway at Château de Maraval
After a morning among the topiaries, there is nothing like returning to the calm of a château. Château de Maraval, a 4-star boutique hotel in Cénac-et-Saint-Julien, about twenty minutes from the historic centre of Sarlat, is the ideal base for exploring the Périgord Noir. Here too, nature reigns: the estate covers 12 hectares of greenery, oak woods and French formal gardens.
The château has eight exceptional rooms and suites. When you come back from your visits, relax in the wellness area of our spa hotel in the Dordogne, with a wooden sauna, jacuzzi and massages on request, then dine on site: the estate offers a seasonal menu and, on request, the experience of a private chef.
Fancy strolling through the Eyrignac gardens and discovering the Périgord Noir in autumn? Book your stay at Château de Maraval and let us help you plan your days of discovery: discover the hotel and book.
Frequently asked questions about the Eyrignac gardens
How long does it take to visit the Eyrignac gardens?
Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the Eyrignac gardens at your own pace, taking in the French formal garden, the Hornbeam Alley, the White Garden, the kitchen garden and the spring garden. Add an hour or more if you follow one of the two botanical trails, or if you have lunch at the Côté Jardins restaurant at the entrance to the site.
Where are the Eyrignac gardens?
The gardens of the Eyrignac manor are in the village of Salignac-Eyvigues, in the Dordogne, in the Périgord Noir. They lie about fifteen kilometres north of Sarlat-la-Canéda, roughly twenty minutes by car. The site has a free, shaded car park and is easy to reach from Sarlat, Montignac or Brive-la-Gaillarde.
How much does it cost to visit the Eyrignac gardens?
As a guide, adult admission to the Eyrignac gardens is displayed at €13.90, or €12.90 if you buy your ticket online. Children aged 5 to 10 pay €7, teenagers aged 11 to 17 pay €9, and entry is free for children under 5. A family pass is also available. Check the latest prices on the official website before your visit.
Are the Eyrignac gardens open all year round?
Yes, the Eyrignac gardens are open every day of the year, including in autumn and winter. Opening hours vary with the seasons: they are shorter from November to March, sometimes with a midday break. Autumn is a lovely season to visit, when the topiaries stay green against the copper colours of the surrounding forest.
What is there to see near the Eyrignac gardens?
Near the Eyrignac gardens, you can stroll around the village of Salignac-Eyvigues, reach the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda in about twenty minutes, or head to Montignac to visit Lascaux 4. Garden lovers can also round off the day with the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac, high above the Dordogne valley.
