The Water Gardens of Carsac

Carsac-Aillac, France, France

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The Water Gardens of Carsac, also known as Les Jardins d'Eau, is a stunning 4.5-hectare botanical water garden located in Saint Rome, Carsac-Aillac in the Dordogne region of southwestern France, situated on an ancient Gallo-Roman site overlooking the untamed banks of the Dordogne River about 8 kilometers southeast of Sarlat.

Created in 1999, this "remarkable garden" features a unique aquatic labyrinth with over 500 meters of footbridges poised just above the water's surface, allowing visitors to explore 2,800 square meters of water including ponds, streams, waterfalls, and pools while experiencing lotus flowers and aquatic plants at human height.

The gardens showcase 80 species of lotus and water lilies (Nelumbo) from America and Asia, along with exotic tropical water lilies, Nile lotus, papyrus, and over 200 varieties of aquatic and waterside plants including Caltha, Iris, and Lobelia, with staggered flowering from May to October. Open daily from May through September (10:00–19:00 May–August, 11:00–18:00 in September), the garden offers activities like Koi carp feeding and interactive water jets controlled via a mobile app, with admission priced at 9 euros for adults and 5.50 euros for children.