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Last updated on 04 August 09
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Jardins de l'Imaginaire

  2.5/5 (2 ratings)

Gardenvisit Editorial

The Gardens of the Imagination, designed by Kathryn Gustafson, overlook the Vézère valley. It is a modern interpretation of a classic form, the terrace garden, but with sculptured curves. Symbollically, there are 'fragments of the stories of gardens': a Sacred Wood (sacro bosco), a Vegetable Tunnel , A Garden of Elements, a Theatre of Greenery, an Axis of the Winds, a Water Garden and a Rose Garden. The Axis of Winds has 12 metre masts with wind vanes. The Rose garden is a 1000 m2 suspended steel structure (and 2,000 roses). The Water Gardens form a cross with jets of water fed by a cascade. The Sacred Wood has 50 bells suspended from oak trees. The greenhouse was designed by the British architect Ian Ritchie and won the Stephen Lawrence prize in 1999.
Address - Place du Foirail, 24120, Terrasson Lavilledieu, France
Website - Visit the Jardins de l'Imaginaire website

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Recent Reviews

  • 3 months ago Mary & Ross said

    We visited the gardens this year and it seemed they had opened before really being ready for the public. Unfortunately it didn't meet the expectations promoted by their impressive colourful marketing.

    Although the staff were very friendly and helpful, these gardens could benefit from better focused management. The experience left me wondering what the designers set out to achieve because the whole site just seemed directionally confused although the plants themselves were wonderful. Perhaps with better focus and given another 2 years or so, this COULD be an excellent site to visit.

    (3.0/5)
  • about 1 year ago Adam Hodge said

    Whether this place can be described as a garden or rather an expression in a large space with nature of multifareous philosophical musings is up to you the viewer - I'm stuck to know what to call it. A garden , for me definetly not ! But for the imaginative and very interesting water features I would have dismissed visiting the place as a total waste of time. The plantings were often minimalist, functional and thus dull and in many areas a poor choice for the situation, as in, they were growing poorly. Its redeeming feature [which sadly leaves me cold and indifferent] is mmmmm.. Nope ..I just didn't appreciate whatever it tried to represent.it was modern 3d art at its best and I just don't get it ! Lots of 'symbolic' stuff, like metal bands weaving through trees or peculiar whatsits fluttering in the breeze. Go see what you can make of it and explain to me what I don't understand !

    (2.0/5)

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