GORGEOUS ALICE IN TOPIARY WONDERLAND IRL

JARDIN DU MARQUEYSSAC -- PHILIPPE JARRIGEON

Sometimes you stumble onto wonderlands and find magic that enchants and captivates you, keeping you transfixed long after others move on.

Photographer Philippe Jarrigeon found wonderland in the incredible landscaped garden of the Château de Marqueyssac.

The Jardin du Marqueyssac holds over 150,000 boxwood trees and shrubs, each cut into fantastical geometric forms. Walking through this sculpted garden, you might feel like Alice in Wonderland. The gardens of Marqueyssac are one of France's listed “Jardins Remarquable.”

Jarrigeon, known for his extraordinary fashion and still life photography, became obsessed with the art of topiary here while researching landscape imagery for Snoop Dogg’s Bush album cover.

Jarrigeon was inspired to photograph the magical Marqueyssac gardens in a series for Pin Up Magazine. The series is a beautiful example of his signature look -- sculptural and, surprisingly, devoid of people. They have a spectacular surreal quality.

The garden graces a plot of land that was owned by Bertrand Vernet de Marqueyssac in the late 17th century. It was developed into a topiary garden in 1860 by its then owner, Julien de Cervel. The gardens were designed by a student of André Le Notre, who designed the gardens at Versailles.

The topiary garden is surrounded by plenty of naturally shaped trees in the woods. Roaming peacocks add to the grandeur. Jarrigeon appreciates the contrast of human and natural artistry.

You can certainly go down the proverbial rabbit hole here. Just past the chateau, you can wander down the long promenade, bordered with beautifully clipped rosemary and santoline topiaries.

You can meander for more than 5 kilometers along a path set high above the Dordogne River and marvel at the fabulous views over the villages of Beynac and La Roque-Gageac below.

This garden wonderland is well worth a visit in real life.

Read more about Beautiful Wonderland in  Experience A Beautiful Otherworldly Wonderland Right Here on Earth.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
2. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
3. Image: Courtesy of  i am OTHER and Columbia Records. Snoop Dogg “Bush” Album.
4. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
5. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
6. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
7. Image: by S-M Robinson. “The best part is the roaming peacocks.” Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
8. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
9. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.
10. Image: by BN App - Download now!
11. Image: by Philippe Jarrigeon. Untitled. Jardin du Marqueyssac. Château de Marqueyssac. Vézac, France.