We set off in search of the Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac but overshot and ended up two km down the road, at the Roque-Gageac. This is a village built in to the cliff face, overlooking the Dordogne. The cliff faces South and acts as a giant storage heater so there are exotic plants in profusion. We explored the village (serious mountaineering) and then drifted down the Dordogne in a replica barge- a gabarre- for an hour in the afternoon. These flat bottomed craft shifted the local wine down to the port at Bordeaux for onward shipment to UK and other parts, in times past.
Nia spotted a campsite from the boat, camping La Plage, where we stayed for a couple of nights. It is right on the river bank and a lovely spot. It is a haven of wildlife; we have been watching the Kingfishers fishing, and there is a family of beavers 20 yards down the river from us, beavering about.
We were buzzed by a squadron of hot air balloons in the evening.
On the Sunday we explored the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac, which are on a plateau overlooking the Dordogne and the Roque-Gageac. We had a quiet afternoon sitting on the beach watching the river (Penny sat in it).
La Plage
Nice Beaver
Old Cave Dwellings in La Roque-Gageac
Chateaux by the river
Exotic Garden at La Roque-Gageac
Gabarre
Fishing
Mavis under the Roque
More Beaver
House at Roque-Gageac
Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac
Penny
Great photos Pete! We did the same boat trip a few years ago - the castle up on the hill is well worth a visit (sorry bit late with the advice) as it's where Luc Besson filmed 'Jean d'Arc' and the views are stunning!
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