Open Gardens

If gardening is your passion then there are plenty of Gardens to visit whilst staying at Labarthe B&B and Holiday Gite. Here is a taster of what can be found…

Just a few minutes from Labarthe is Boissonna Rose Garden, with over 460 varieties you’ll find a rare collection of roses climbing and rambling naturally. The garden is also home to some remarkable trees: a huge walnut tree, corylus, cedars, pines and many more. In the heart of the garden, tea room offers refreshments and home made cakes. Website

Staying local, just 10 minutes’ drive from Labarthe, at Le Jardin de Mireille an old rose enthusiast welcomes you in her garden where you can admire more than three hundred old roses, mixed with a large number of perennials, irises, daylilies, geraniums, as well as rare trees and shrubs. The garden is an arrangement of flowerbeds enhanced by large grassed passages. There is also a Zen corner, overlooking the Dropt valley. Website

The water gardens of Latour-Marliac (50 minutes from Labarthe), the oldest water lily nursery in the world and the site of the National Collection of the Nymphaea genus. Open May to October, for the full flowering period of its 250 rustic and tropical species. Walk through a 2.5 ha park, from the exotic greenhouse that shelters the giant Victoria water lily to a bamboo plantation, from the water reservoirs lined with jars to the pond to the Japanese bridge. There is also a café where you can sit and enjoy the surroundings, thinking of the painter Claude Monet who came here to get his water lilies at the end of the 19th century. Website

A bit further afield (1hr45) is the much-visited Marqueyssac gardens in the Dordogne, the most visited garden in Périgord. The park, designed for walking, is situated on a spur and overlooks the entire Dordogne Valley with its chalky cliffs. It reveals the most spectacular panoramic view possible of Périgord. The gardens of Marqueyssac listed as a National Historical Monument offer more than 6 kilometers of shaded paths, edged with 150 000 hand-pruned boxwoods aged over hundred years. Website

Caves

If you can pull yourself away from relaxing by the pool (!) there are many caves to visit in Nouvelle Aquitaine, including the spectacular UNESCO Caves of Lascaux in the Dordogne that although over two hours away from us here in Duras are worth the journey. The Lascaux cave is the finest of all prehistoric painted caves made by Cro Magnon man. (advance on-line booking required.) Website

Closer to home we have a few lesser-known caves spectacular in their own right, all within an hour of Labarthe, and at times a much welcome break from the heat of the day!

Located in the heart of the village of Rauzan (40 minutes from Duras) the Grotte Célestine is the only underground river in the Gironde. Dating from the Quaternary period and dug into the limestone rock by water, the Grotte Célestine was discovered by chance in 1845. Forgotten for more than sixty years, it was opened again to the public thanks to the municipality of Rauzan.

The "Pearl of Aquitaine". These caves began more than twenty-five million years ago, at the end of the Tertiary era. Since then, they have never ceased to adorn themselves with an infinite number of stalactites, stalagmites and draperies of incomparable richness. They allow a better understanding of the particular geology of this part of the Lot-et-Garonne called "Pays de Serres".

Close to Les Grottes de Lastournelles are The Fontirou Caves, where the adventure began 30 million years ago. In 7 rooms, nature has designed concretions of all shapes and various hues, which you will be able to discover or rediscover thanks to its new lighting which is quite unique in France.

Chocolate!!

Valentines, Easter, Birthdays, Christmas, apparently it’s tradition to have chocolate, something we do quite well in the Aquitaine area!

Our first stop is of course the two chocolate shops in Duras and Baleyssagues. Maison Guinguet is a family run chocolate and prune factory originally opened in 1950, then in 1991 the famous chocolate covered prune was introduced, and the rest is history. With it’s brand new shop front and a delicious selection of chocolates to choose from, I dare you to come away with nothing!

In Baleyssagues a new enterprise has been added to the Chateau Bechade range, you guessed it, chocolates! The wine’s pretty good too!

Monsegur is just 10 minutes from Labarthe and you’ll find a warm welcome la Choco-Latine. Not only will you find fabulous bread and pastries, they have a great range of chocolate products.

Over in Castillones, about 40 minutes from Labarthe, Rody Chocolaterie will destroy any idea of a diet! This is chocolate heaven for all you chocoholics!!

In Ste Foy, their Saturday market is always worth a visit, but under the arcade you’ll find Merandon Patisserie – Boulangerie – Chocolaterie. Buy your croissants for breakfast, a cake for tea, and a gift for that special friend 😊 You might need a coffee after all that so why not stop for a coffee and partake in a bit or people watching!

A bit further away (good job!) over in the Dordogne, Bovetti Chocolatier and Museum has taken chocolate to a new level. Not only will you be blown away with their chocolate selection, they also have a range of chocolate pasta, …. And beers!