Visit to Dordogne

Bergerac - Castelnaud - Marqueyssac - La Roque Gageac - Domme - Sarlat - Beynac - Belves - Monpazier - Biron

We arrived in 10 min. by car from Castelnaud.
The gardens start from the Marqueyssac castle, a 18th century residence. They are the result of the successive generations if the owner family since 1692. At the end of 19th century Julien de Cerval planted some bushes to guide along the walks and that give to the gardens this special touch that increases the park beauty.

After this brief introduction it must be said that the visit is very pleasant. You begin in the most surprising and original part of the gardens, the Bastion , placed close to the castle. The bushes are sculpted by hand with numerous rounded shapes conforming a spectacular whole.

The Bastion is a little piece of the gardens that give access to the rest, a relaxing park with pruned bushes in different shapes, walks among the trees and a few cascades. It is a place to repose and to calm . One of the best things is the panorama.
The gardens are situated over a 130 m. high hill, so the views over the Dordogne valley and its villages are fantastic. The Belvedere viewpoint is especially nice, offering a landscape that covers la Roque Gageac and the valley.

Once we concluded the walk we went to the Tea Saloon, a terrace nearby the castle with views of the valley from Beynac to Castelnaud.
The visit duration is variable, depending on your preferences. In less than two hours it can be visited without hurry, but you can tranquilly enjoy the gardens and nature for longer, by penetrating through the paths that cover this extensive and leafy park.