Villages of Perigord

©Titia Carrizey-Jasick

“I was born and raised here where I live each day, in the

shade of the castle walls. Beynac is my world and I’m very

attached to it. I just love the way that the narrow streets

climb towards the castle, revealing the Valley of the

Dordogne River and the Island of Broudou where I used

to fish as a child, from different viewpoints.A must do:

take the hiking trail that runs up above by the Calvary

and continues on along the cliff and caves, as it goes east.

There are magnificent views all along the way. I’ve seen

the village really taking off. Nowadays, it’s a lively place

all year round. Our cannery

, founded right here in 1940

by my Great Grand Aunt, is part of it all with our shop

and our inn.”

Beynac’s medieval fortress is a regular location for movie

shoots; its natural setting makes it an obvious choice for

movie directors. Some examples: the last film featuring

Brigitte Bardot“The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot”,

“Gallant Ladies” starring Richard Bohringer and Isabella

Rossellini, Luc Besson’s“Joan of Arc”,“The Visitors” etc.

but also music videos for Era…

“The alleys climb

towards happiness”

Cédric Depenweiler,

Lembert cannery

A Star Attraction

If the undulations of the bastion’s “Boxwood Folly” alone

deserve a long look, the complete tour of the topiary

gardens takes visitors on a 6 kilometre stroll, over 54 acres.

Marqueyssac’s Italianate hilltop gardens

, are something

of a gentle voice in this valley of castles. The panoramic

views of the river Esperance and the village of La Roque-

Gageac are breathtaking. Garden paths wind playfully

through cliffs and greenery, between mazes of clipped box

hedges and secret rooms.

Marqueyssac Hanging Gardens,

in Vézac

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

24+1 VILLAGES OF PÉRIGORD