The Jardin de Bardot

Penstock

Le jardin de Bardot
Around 1905, Joseph Mas (Bardot) and his wife Maria created a terraced garden in the Dordogne valley and cultivated various fruits and vegetables, some unfamiliar (peaches, strawberries, grapes, figs). Maria would then sell them in the surrounding villages. The couple's reputation extends beyond the boundaries of the commune. From the 1930s, their age and the economic situation gradually led them into poverty. Today, the terraced garden has been rebuilt for the enjoyment of hikers.
Around 1905, Joseph Mas (Bardot) and his wife Maria created a terraced garden in the Gorges de la Dordogne and cultivated various and unfamiliar fruits and vegetables (peaches, strawberries, grapes and figs). Maria would then sell them in the surrounding villages. The couple's reputation extends beyond the boundaries of their commune. From the 1930s, their age and the economic situation gradually led them into poverty. Today, the terraced garden has been rebuilt for the enjoyment of hikers.

The Cave of the Maquis

Granite buzzard

Chestnut dryer

The Busatier Viewpoint
Description
From the car park, follow the road down towards the Marcillac hydroelectric plant for 300 m. It passes the foot of the surge tank for the penstock, the enclosed pipeline, which brings water from the Valletta dam.
- Follow the gravel path on the left (signed Jardin de Bardot) for 150 m, make a right-angled turn to the right, and start the descent into the wooded valley with its hornbeam, oak and chestnut trees. The trail passes over the penstock, near a water tower and continues down into the gorges.
- At the intersection, after a reservoir, continue straight ahead until you reach the junction of the paths. You can access the Dordogne riverbank by continuing straight ahead.
- Follow the path to the left, climb the steps, pass by a former chestnut dryer, a "séchadour" and enter the Jardin de Bardot (a restored site). Continue along the steep path that begins at the top and to the right of the terraced garden. It zig-zags up the steep slope. On a bend, a path leads to a cave used by the Resistance, 100 m away. At the top, continue to the left on the flat and take the path that goes back up the valley.
- Continue on the stone path, pass in front of the Pas du Diable, the Fauteuil de Dieu, and the Buse de Granit and you will find a restored "séchadour.
- Take the track on the left, pass the belvedere of Le Busatier (a panoramic viewpoint looking out over the Dordogne valley; now look up into the sky: peregrine falcons, black and red kites nest nearby) and then find the starting point again.
- Departure : The Busatier trail near Nougein, Marcillac la Croisille
- Arrival : The Busatier trail near Nougein, Marcillac la Croisille
- Towns crossed : Marcillac-la-Croisille
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Information desks
1 rue Joseph Vialaneix, 19300 Egletons
http://www.tourisme-egletons.com
accueil@tourisme-egletons.com
05 55 93 04 34
Carrefour de l’Epinette, 19550 Lapleau
http://www.cc-ventadour.fr
accueil@cc-ventadour.fr
05 55 27 69 26
Access and parking
Parking :
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