Marqueyssac (by Phone)


It's been a long time, too long, since we visited the gardens at Chateau Marqueyssac. Last Friday however, we made a long overdue return visit to 'Les Jardins Suspendu' - the Hanging Gardens with panoramic views of the Dordogne valley.

Sadly, camera forgotten and with just one bar of charge left on the mobile phone I managed just a few shots before the power finished. For the full picture go here


 The box is clipped beautifully and the 'parc', with over six kilometres of footpaths and walks has a labyrinthine feel to it, not to mention containing pretty much all of the native flora and fauna found in the Perigord Noir - The Black Perigord - named such due to the vast swathes of dark Holm oak found growing in this region.

But for me, it's the beautiful views,  true vistas over the Dordogne valley that make this a special place. There are bucolic scenes all around the park and the gardens, at 200 metres above the river act as a natural belvedere.  This was a view over to the fortified chateau of Castelnaud. Unfortunately the 'phone's camera seemed hell bent on fixing focus to the trees in the fore and then running out of power. All the same, it's a fairytale view - one of many. If you ever get to go there, take the camera!



Comments

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Phillip. I wish the power for the phone hadn't run out. There are so many other 'vistas' such as looking down on the medieval town of La Roque Gageac, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

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  2. Despite the challenges presented by phone cameras, they do take some very good photos. I hope you make the journey again soon so you can capture the vistas with your camera. These are lovely and I like the topiared shrubs.

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    1. Thanks Shirley. I agree - phone cameras do take decent shots - I just wished the power hadn't run out.

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  3. The box is unbelievably clipped to make a splendid view.
    Someday I want to try it.

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    1. Thanks. I usually think of the Japanese as masters of topiary and clipping.

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  4. Magnifique! Have been in a similar situation camera wise recently. Niece's wedding, camera with me, went to take first photo when helpful words flashed up on screen to inform me that there wasn't a card in the camera :( Unfortunately I've not mastered the art of taking photos with my mobile phone as well as you have done Rob.

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    1. The 'no card in camera' message is a bloody pain in the arse - always at the absolute most inconvenient times. I know it well.

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  5. We visited Marqueyssac several years ago. It remains one of my favourite gardens and is well worth a visit. We had my elderly in-laws with us and after wandering to the limits of the garden on foot were able to hitch a lift back on a little golf cart with one of the gardeners. The views are indeed spectacular.

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    1. Always a better option when the weather's too hot or distance is too challenging - they do take people back along the straight path in the little 'buggies'.

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  6. I would love to see this garden some day, soon!

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