La Jardins de Cadiot: visit to an intimate permaculture garden

Plan of the gardens of Cadiot

A story of passion and transmission of knowledge

In 1983, Anne-Marie and Bernard Decottignies moved to Carlux, a few minutes from the village, in a wild and wasteland . They are renovating a Périgordine building and are wondering how to take care of the 2 hectares of land it comprises. Bernard is an architect , sculptor and Anne-Marie is a botanist and also a colorist painter . They begin to arrange with passion and the only strength of their arms and their will, some spaces with plants , shrubs and flowers that they love.  

Everywhere in the garden, Anne Marie and Bernard are looking for beauty and harmony . At first, like all of us, they try to order nature: they move, they structure, they work the land ... quickly, they discover the principles of permaculture through a book and its author (Masanobu Fukuoka, The Revolution with a Single Strand of Straw , which we recommend you read!). Permaculture? It is working with the earth and not against nature. Nothing esoteric, it's all about creating a healthy , sustainable and productive ecosystem , without chemical inputs , of course, but it goes way beyond that. It is reproducing on a given scale, what nature spontaneously does and organizing its garden according to its needs . They enrich their knowledge year after year, they work for nearly 15 years to create diversified spaces , complementary and above all adapted to their terrain.  

The entrance to the Jardins de Cadiot, with a pretty stone porch

A garden without chemical inputs with honey species to attract bees

sponsored content

They start by taking advantage of the area with a limestone tendency , where the rock sometimes outcrops , bathed in sun most of the day, to make a Tuscan Garden . Simple and tidy at the same time, it is planted with box trees that were found on the property, cypresses and species with a Mediterranean tendency that withstand the heat of the place . It is separated from an astonishing forest of holm oaks , the Jardin Sauvage planted with a few exotic species , by a meadow and by the Chamber of the Sphinx , which makes a perfect transition between these two environments. The English garden has been installed on a flat terrace below, offering a beautiful lawned space, punctuated by flowerbeds of mixed species, creating golden and orange hues in summer. These are the first spaces organized by Bernard and Anne-Marie, next to their house.  

The Tuscan Garden with its pruned cypress trees and its flowers in chosen blue and white hues.

The forest planted with exotic species and embellished with a spring that flows like a small stream in the middle, from a stone fountain.  

A cool and pleasant space in which to stroll and stroll.

Works of art are scattered in the forest, like an open-air gallery, they are made by artists from Zimbabwe.  

Sculpture-birds and side by side sculpture-sphinx .

Japanese maple, a species found in the forest, which is adorned with a blazing red / orange color in the fall.

Stroll through living gardens that are always in motion  

Les Jardins de Cadiot develop over 2 landscaped entities separated by a small road (which is not dangerous, but cross carefully with young children). Just before crossing the road to the lower gardens, stop at the Patios , where wrought iron tables and chairs are set up. In season (not in 2020 due to COVID) there is a charming tea room . You can also bring your picnic .

A small road without danger to cross .

A little oriental and cozy spaces, for lunch or a break.  

sponsored content

On the other side, I recommend that you start with the Jardin de Poésie , the furthest from the reception. We see amphorae with poetic messages, portals of woven wood, sculptures in shards of glass and colored mosaics. We then go up the Rose Garden , which was not in bloom when we passed. This is the attraction of the Jardins de Cadiot , the blooms follow one another and the whole is in motion and different throughout the summer. We then got lost in the Labyrinth of Arbores. Children appreciate this surreal place, where they are afraid of not finding the exit while reassuring themselves to see us through the foliage. I waited for them at the Pivoineraie , which is splendid from May to June because it is the full blooming of these flowers so loved by gardeners. Go up along the hydrangeas to the Orchard . There are branches that bend under the weight of the fleshy fruits . Apples, pears, punctuated by borders of colorful and fragrant perennials . A little further on, we reach a collection of sage , a small square with a walnut tree and a dry stone borie . In front of the reception, the vegetable garden , which is in fact the first entity that you will see when arriving from the large car park (free!).  

The Poetry Garden and The Rose Garden, which was not in bloom when we passed.  

The Labyrinth which, if you get caught up in the game, will lose you for several minutes!  

Children love mazes, like in fairy tales.  

Hugo spent the whole visit looking for the names of the prettiest flowers, here he is fascinated by a beautiful white hydrangea, abundant like a small fireworks display.  

The orchard with the trees installed in espalier .

Apples and pears appetizing.

sponsored content

An educational visit  

A visit to the Cadiot Gardens is attractive for the whole family. Children are invited to participate in a small treasure hunt , they must find animal sculptures , hidden in the gardens. They keep busy and walk around with their eyes wide open! If you wish a list of the plants in the garden will be given to you, it is very well done with a photo illustrating each plant, as well as information on its name, family, color and flowering period. A real mine of information for all, even children are fascinated to be able to quickly and easily find the names of plants! We have also prepared a list of the ones we like the most, to plant at home next year.  

Easy to find what is this pretty flower!

There are signs in the vegetable garden.

The gardens of Cadiot are the promise of a truly pleasant and poetic moment. It is a simple place, designed with love and respect for the environment. Visit this place next to Carlux from May to the end of September.  

Back to "Rest and relaxation"