After a long career with Hillier Nurseries, Andy now works freelance planning and planting gardens of all sizes. A gold medal winning designer he is also an author and consultant editor of numerous books, a garden writer and lecturer. Andy was awarded the RHS Veitch Memorial Medal in 2017 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the science and practice of horticulture.
Expert-led
Explore the elegant gardens of the Dordogne Valley with Andy McIndoe
The Dordogne is a delightful region of France where medieval villages, elegant gardens and historic walled cities are waiting to welcome you.
On this six-day escape, you'll be joined by expert garden designer Andy McIndoe as you explore a selection of the region's finest gardens. Andy has over 40 years' experience and is responsible for 25 consecutive Gold Medal winning gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Your visits include the Jardins d'eau in Carsac-Aillac with their tranquil water lily ponds, the Marqueyssac Gardens, perched on a rocky outcrop over the Dordogne valley, and the Jardins de l'imaginaire, an award-winning collection of thirteen themed gardens full of fountains and cascades.
You'll be staying in the medieval city of Sarlat la Canéda at the charming Hotel Plaza Madeleine, overlooking the central square.
There'll be plenty of free time to explore your picturesque surroundings in this 14th-century city. Sarlat la Canéda is easy to explore on foot, with the cathedral, shops, restaurants and a covered market inside Gothic Sainte Marie church all being within easy reach.
Sarlat is one of the Dordogne Valley's most renowned gastronomic hubs, so make sure to sample some local delicacies, like Rocamadour cheese, strawberries and truffles as well as a range of fine wines.
In between your garden visits, there's time to relax and make the most of the hotel's excellent facilities. There's a heated swimming pool, a whirlpool tub, a sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi along with a bar serving champagne, soft drinks, and a variety of signature cocktails.
Reasons to book
Jardins d'eau
Sarlat la Canéda
Château et Jardin de Losse
Four-star hotel
Meet Andy McIndoe
Dordogne cuisine
You'll be joined by
Price includes
- Five nights bed and breakfast at four-star Hotel Plaza Madeleine
- Return flights
- Expert horticulturist tour guide Andy McIndoe and French guide
- Welcome drink and three-course dinner on the first evening with wine and on the final evening
- All garden visits as per itinerary including any private and guided tours mentioned.
- Refreshments at Cote du Jardin at Le Manoir Erignac (Three course set lunch with wine)
- Two light lunches
- All coaching in France as per the itinerary
- City Taxes and Eco Tax
Book now
Itinerary
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Day1Arrive in Sarlat la CanedaSarlat la Caneda/dordogne, France
Today you'll arrive in Sarlat la Caneda to meet your group and tour leader before checking into The Hotel Plaza Madeleine.
Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival while your luggage is taken to your room. After some free time to freshen up and settle in, take a short stroll to a local restaurant for a three-course group dinner with wine.
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Day2Les Jardins de MarqueyssacSarlat la Caneda/dordogne, France
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll enjoy an orientation walk of Sarlat la Canéda before departing by coach for Les Jardins de Marqueyssac at Vezac. Here you'll find over 6 kilometres of pathways surrounded by over 150,000 hand-pruned boxwoods in the grounds of a 19th-century chateau.
You'll then visit La Roque Gaceac, a picturesque village nestled at the foot of a towering limestone cliff, where you can purchase lunch and refreshments.
Later you'll take a 50-minute guided boat trip on the Dordogne River in a replica gabarre, an authentic flat-bottomed boat once used to transport goods along the Dordogne River. The tour starts at the pier at La Roque Gageac and takes you to the Castelnaud bridge overlooked by a 12th-century castle.
When you return to the hotel you'll have the evening free to dine out in one of Sarlat's wonderful local restaurants.
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Day3Le Manoir Eyrignac at Salignac-EyviguesSarlat la Caneda/dordogne, France
This morning you'll have some free time to explore Sarlat and the local market after breakfast.
It's then on to Le Manoir Eyrignac at Salignac-Eyvigues, where lunch will be included on arrival in Cote du Jardin Restaurant.
After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the gardens. There are five main parts to the garden; the Plant Sculptures Kingdom; the Box Labyrinth; the Manor and French garden; Capucine's gardens; the White Garden and the Flower Meadow. There is also a vegetable garden and flower garden.
You'll see more than 300 sculptures as you walk as well as pretty water features in every nook and cranny of this remarkable garden.
The evening will again be left free for you to explore the restaurants and bars of Sarlat.
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Day4Les Jardins de l’ImaginaireLes Jardins de l’Imaginaire/dordgne,
Following breakfast you'll depart by coach for Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire in Terrasson-Lavilledieu.
Stroll with your tour guide through the wooded path that starts you on a journey through these award-winning gardens, created as an outdoor theatre telling the myths and legends surrounding the history of gardens.
After your tour, you'll have some free time in delightful Terrasson, a small historic town along the banks of the River Vezere.
Discover artisan shops, and restaurants serving local produce and architectural gems before heading to the Chateau et Jardin de Losse, enchanting gardens surrounding a chateau that offers wonderful viewpoints of the River Vézère.
There is a Tea Room in the Princess Garden area where you can enjoy refreshments before returning to the hotel for a free evening.
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Day5Jardins d'eau de Carsac-AillacLes Jardins de l’Imaginaire/dordgne,
Today's garden visit is to the wonderful Jardins d'eau in Carsac-Aillac. Set in beautiful countryside, you'll discover a series of ponds and streams filled with water lilies of all varieties, gravel paths lined with flowers, fishponds, fountains, aquatic plants and a Monet-style bridge.
There'll be a light lunch included in the local area before a visit to Les Bambous de Planbuisson Gardens. This garden is home to a collection of rare trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, wild plants and over 240 varieties of bamboo and grasses from all over the world.
A final farewell dinner with wine is included in a local restaurant this evening before your journey home tomorrow.
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Day6Departure from DordogneSarlat la Caneda/dordogne, France
After breakfast, it's time to check out of the hotel. Before beginning your homeward journey you'll enjoy a guided tour of a local walnut farm to learn about the trees, harvesting and how the nuts are processed. A little shop sells local products, which make wonderful gifts.
You'll enjoy a final included lunch as you begin your journey to Toulouse Airport for your flight home.
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Availability
* From price is per person, for subscribers, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £315. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Not suitable for those with mobility problems. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded). To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.
* From price is per person, for non-subscribers, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £315. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Not suitable for those with mobility problems. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd (ATOL bonded). To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.