During a visit, you sometimes make unexpected discoveries. While a few meters higher, the Gothic facades and craftsmen's shops attract the attention of visitors to Cordes-sur-Ciel, it is a peaceful, almost remote place where it is good to stop and breathe the air of nature.
A paradise of freshness
Entering the Jardin des Paradis from Place du Théron, you immediately dive into a new atmosphere. The majestic white stone facades here give way to palm trees, rose bushes, a pomegranate garden, a moss area, flowerbeds and ponds where biodiversity takes its place! Come on, we slip into narrow, almost labyrinthine paths to discover everything. We move from one space to another like between the pages of a book where we explore a new story at each break. Here is a small bird whose wings rustle between the leaves, a dragonfly that seems to want to land on a water lily, an almost invisible frog at the water's edge.
Attention flower and insect photography enthusiasts, this is the perfect playground! Take the opportunity to soak up the peace and serenity in quiet little corners, like the Persian Pavilion where you can sit for 5 minutes or an hour, and do nothing but contemplate in this place classified as " Remarkable Garden "," LPO Refuge " and " Humanity and Biodiversity ».
The +? Come with your 4-legged friend! Dogs are accepted on a leash.
A playground for artists
At the Garden of Paradise, art is welcome!
Throughout the season, nature and culture come together in the garden through a rich cultural program. The Hespérie association welcomes musicians, visual artists, poets, storytellers and many others in the afternoon or evening for suspended moments. We set the scene: you are comfortably seated on the terrace and enjoy a few soft notes of live music as the sun begins to set on the lush vegetation of the garden… Sounds tempting, right?
And since art is not just a matter for professionals, everyone can come and try it out during workshops and initiations offered all summer, while the more athletic will surely prefer the Yoga workshops.
We take the opportunity for a gourmet break
In the heart of the garden lies a cafe-restaurant which extends the sensory experience. On Place Théron, enjoy local products and dishes carefully prepared from fresh, local products. Whether for a light lunch, an iced tea or a pastry, this gourmet corner is ideal for a break after a stroll.
Around the Garden
Before or after visiting the Garden, the medieval city of Cordes sur Ciel awaits you.
Leaving the garden, we go up on the right and hop, we come face to face with the Porte de la Jane, one of the last 7 fortified gates of the city. From there, another small climb, and here we are at the threshold of the Saint-Michel church and its majestic bell tower. Finished climbing… we can now marvel at the beauty of the heritage of Cordes sur Ciel without having sore calves! Direction the Place de la Halle and the noble houses of the city center.
Why a garden in Cordes?
The old fortified terrace that now houses the Jardin des Paradis saw its first plants grow in 1998, more than 25 years ago, under the leadership of Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurières. The latter, born in Montauban, completed his university studies in Toulouse. This may have guided the choice of this unique site! The two landscape architects are behind many gardens in France, Spain and the Middle East. On the slopes of the medieval city, they found a playground to give free rein to their imagination, in line with the contemporary creations of the Chaumont-sur-Loire International Garden Festival.
When they left for new adventures in 2002, it was the Cordes Développement association that took over the management of the Garden before Cécile Troux, a nurseryman full of ideas, came to bring it some new features in 2016. She notably installed new species, including fruit and berry plants. Following her departure in 2018, two associations took over. Thus, since 2023, the Hespérie association has been bringing the garden to life by offering workshops, shows and exhibitions.
Practical information
| Rates | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Full price |
4 € | Not disclosed |
| Reduced price |
3 € | Not disclosed |
| Adult group |
3 € | Not disclosed |
