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The Jardin de Bardot
Description
From the terraced gardens of "Bardot" to the chestnut dryers, this short circular walk in the heart of the Gorges de la Dordogne will delight young and old alike.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.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Points of interest
Additional information
Advised parking
The start of the Busatier trail, Nougein
Advice
After it passes through the Jardin de Bardot, the rocky path becomes steep and sloping as it zig-zags upwards.
Access
6.5 km from Marcillac la Croisille, take the D18 then turn left onto the Nougein municipal road, go through the hamlet of Nougein; the car park is on the left, 500 m away.
Ambiance
Bardot was the nickname of Joseph Mas who, with his wife, set out to become a market gardener at the beginning of the 20th centuryin the sunny Dordogne valley. Come and explore their terraced gardens.
Arrival
The Busatier trail near Nougein, Marcillac la Croisille
Departure
The Busatier trail near Nougein, Marcillac la Croisille
