Jardins de Marquessac
Overhanging gardens above the River
The overhanging gardens of Marquessac situated on a rocky spur between Beynac and La Roque Gageac in the Black Périgord are listed as a National Historic Monument. These 19th Century gardens have been painstakingly restored and now provide some of the most spectacular views in the whole Périgord from the 6km of shaded paths which run through the carefully manicured boxwood.
The balcony at the western end stands 130 metres (427 ft) above the Dordogne River and overlooks both Beynac and Castelnaud. At the eastern end the riverside village of La Roque Gageac can also be seen. The paths wander through the clipped boxwood which blends in with the surrounding countryside and in places there is an almost cloud like effect which is very restful on the eye.
The Château, built just before the Revolution, is a splendid building sporting a lauzes or stone slab roof said to weigh more than 500 tons!