Gardens open to the public in Central France

Situated in the Creuse to the south of La Châtre is the quaint market town of Boussac. It has a medieval château which is beautifully presented. Guided tours (in French - with English printed version) cost 7 Euros. George Sand once lived here and one of her novels was set in the 12th century castle.

Gardens of Drulon

Here the visitor can enjoy 15 hectares of contemporary sculpture and four unusual gardens: the formal rose garden with over 1400 roses and 6000 herbaceous plants; the room garden with a green amphitheatre; the marshes – a place of mazes and paths; and the château’s secret garden and fishponds. www.drulon.com See Photo Library for more pictures. Click for Map

The château fortress of Ainay-le-vieil has a series of beautifully laid out garden rooms, including an amazing collection of roses old and new. There is a shop and picnic area. It is possible to visit the château and gardens separately. Click for Map

La Prieuré de Notre-Dame d’Orsan is also well worth a visit. Featured in many magazines, this 12^th century priory has had its walled medieval gardens restored and is a delightful place to spend the day. There is a garden of roses, orchards, herb gardens, a kitchen garden maze and also a shop, tea room, and restaurant. Click for map

Chateau de Culan

The gardens of the Château of Culan set at the foot of this impressive residence include herbs, roses, box and a kitchen garden. Shop and restaurant on site. Click for map

At St Priest la Marche is the Parc du Château de La Courcelle with its lake, rhododendrons, and ancient avenue of trees in a parkland setting.

At Saint Christophe le Chaudry is the garden of La Lande Chevrier. This is a succession of 15 gardens designed by Pierre Joyaux.

The Jardin du Centre de la France is situated at Vesdun at the Mairie and has an aromatic and medicinal garden along with gardens of vines, flowers and roses.

Sarzay

In the little village of Sarzay is the magnificent ancient feudal castle dating from the 14^th and 15^th centuries. Open to the public, you can climb its high towers and see how people may have lived several hundred years ago. It was the setting for George Sand’s novel Le Meunier d’Angibault. Sarzay is remarkable in that it was in ruins a few years ago, and was rescued and painstakingly restored by the efforts of one man and his family. It is one of the most visited buildings in France. Click for Map

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