Spring is here and it is time once more for Daglan’s flower festival to be held on the 17th March.
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A few pictures from last years flower festival so that you can get a glimpse of the variety of plants on offer.
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So come along and enjoy.
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The Perigord has many different types of gardens that are open to the public, all of which are stunningly beautiful. This particular garden stands out as one of my favourites, it is stated in the guide ‘that it is a unique site in France’, and on our first visit I could see why.
Covering six hectares and thirteen gardens in the Perigord Noir, in the heart of the old town of Terrasson-Lavilledieu which over looks the Vezere Valley. These gardens created by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, show the art and imagination of humans from the Greek and Roman Periods. Which depict the element of water and wind, that interact with the plants to give a relaxed and meditative approach to the various gardens.
Roman fountain is to be found just before the entrance to the gardens.
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From the beginning of the route is a golden ribbon which is wrapped around the trees and leads you up higher and higher through a tunnel towards the first of the gardens.
This is a magical garden of Perigord stone and forest, It was once believed to be the home of elf’s and other creatures of the forest. I of course had an image of the elf’s from the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, well they are gardens of the imagination.
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The green theatre is based on the Greek and Roman open theatres, which over looks the town of Terrasson -Lavilledieu.
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Further along you can choose to walk down the stone steps to the rose garden or walk through the fountains. Here you can sit and mediate among the fragrant roses.
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Paul and I decided to meander through the fountains which was wonderful and cooling on a hot day.
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Waterfalls cascade down from the top of the stone wall and disappear underneath the footpath.
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Events:-
Belves air Show 15th August.
53rd Antiques Fair 19th and 20th August Villefranche – du-Perigord.
Relive the twenties and become spectators or actors at the Marquise, Sarlat on the 15th and 22nd of August.
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As part of the celebrations for the twenty five years since the gardens were re-opened Marqueyssac has two exhibitions in the newly renovated rooms of the Château. One is a new exhibition of the great-grandfather of the owner of the gardens, “O’Galop” which was the nickname of Marius Rossillon 1867-1946.
The Courtyard of Château of Marqueyssac with entrance to the exhibitions.
First Michelin Man Designer.
Born in 1867 in Lyon, Marius Rossillon, who was known as O’Galop, was a caricaturist and illustrator. In 1895 he moved to Montmartre the artistic community for talented artists and society elite. Among this community were the inventors of the removable tyre, Edouard and Andre Michelin. In 1898, the two brothers asked O’Galop to “give life” to a character advertising the new tyres-the Michelin Man.
In a world where posters were everywhere, promoting objects was very fashionable. However, O’Galop went one step further creating the iconic Michelin Man. Naturally, O’Galop gained fame for his creation and he became the brands official poster artist until 1913, with over 200 posters and adverts.
The Iconic Michelin Man became the first ever international mass distribution advertising campaign.
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The second exhibition in the Château is a very interesting film showing the round the year work of the gardeners, which is documented by the head gardener Jean Lemousses.
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On a bright Spring morning the Daglan Flower Festival returned in all of its glory with added extras?
Here are a few photographs of just a few of the colourful displays of trees, roses, herbs etc. that we observed as we walked around the village last Sunday morning.
Cherry blossom, fruit trees and many more were all on display.
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Alongside the Marie.
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Spring vegetables, tomato plants, herbs and flowers.
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You could also buy machinery to lighten the load of the gardening experience.
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A brilliant idea was the introduction of banners around the village. This particular one was displayed next to our local potter who was selling various pots for plants.
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Here is his shop on the road through Daglan. On the right of the picture was information about Daglan wild life and the Perigord which was a very interesting and informative.
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The Place de la Liberté taken soon after the fete opened, even so early you can see how busy it was.
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We did buy from this particular stall the vibrant colour were just too tempting to miss.
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Another purchase was a climbing red rose. So keep your fingers crossed for a gorgeous display of roses.
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Things are starting to happen once more in the village of Daglan, beginning with the return of the Spring Flower Festival. Where the streets are full of the most tempting flowers, bushes, aromatic plants, trees and vines all to buy and display in your garden. Not forgetting the expert advice on what to plant and where it would go in your garden, plus how and when the plant would flower etc. In short a wealth of experience at your finger tips.
A welcome return.
These two pictures were taken in 2019 during the last Spring Flower show.
Just to wet your appetite before the Festival begins.
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Our French Dream 