Marqueyssac can be found in none of the travel guides we checked.  Shame on them.  Across the Dordogne river from Castelnaud, Marqueyssac is a mountain topping chateaux and garden that provides spectacular views of the river and the castles along it.

Marqueyssac is an 18th century chateau surrounded by several square kilometers of gardens that hug the shear cliffs and cover the land in between.  A maze of private paths breaks out onto broad vistas and special areas unseen during the approach--a classic French combination of intimacy and surprise.  These surprises include small huts made from dry set stones, a chapel, scenic overlooks, and a playground for children.  This classic French garden design is made all the better by the location--several hundred meters above the Dordogne river.

It is hard to put into words how much we enjoyed this park.  There was something there that was enjoyable for each us, making it the perfect family outing.

Enjoy the pictures--we enjoyed taking them:

 

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Page created on 05 Aug 2001