Castle and Garden

Castlenaud

Last year we spent a week in the Dordogne and included a visit to Beynac Castle, a French Catholic stronghold during the Wars of Religion.  This year we wanted to see its rival across the river, Castelnaud, held by the Protestant English for much of the war.  Like many French castles it fell into disrepair, and has been renovated during the past 35 years.  The collections and video presentations mainly describe medieval warfare, including armor, castle defenses, attack mechanisms such as the trebuchet, used to hurl large rocks.  The many levels provide views of the river and surrounding countryside.

The small medieval village at the foot of the castle, and high above the Dordogne, includes shops and restaurants, one of which provided today's lunch.  Perhaps you have noticed that eating out has supplanted picnicking. 

carved boxwood at Jardins de Marqueyssac

We had purchased castle tickets which included the nearby Jardins de Marqueyssac, perched on a bluff above the river.  The gardens which were originally created in the 1860s fell into disrepair and were resurrected in the 1990s. They include the original carved boxwood shapes as well as extensive walks culminating in the belvedere above the river and view of the town of La Roque Gageac.

We found yet another back road to bring us to tonight's destination of Le Bugue along the Vezere River.