Dordogne- Beynac-et-Cazenac

After leaving Domme, we drove along the Dordogne River for about 10km to our next destination, Beynac-et-Cazenac. This town is most noted for having one of the greatest medieval fortresses of the Perigord, Chateau de Beynac. This fortress, which "seems to grow out of the ochre-colored cliff on which it sits", is 492 feet above the Dordogne. Its location made an enemy attack nearly impossible because they would first have to scale the sheer drop before they even reached the top and then penetrate two protective "curtain walls" around the castle.








We arrived in town just as the shops were closing up for lunch so we quickly went into a couple of them and pulled together a marvelous assortment of goodies for a picnic along the river. We ate fresh pate, slices of ham, cheeses, carrot salad, baguettes, deliciously ripe pears and dark chocolate. I'm hungry just writing about it!



While we picnicked, we enjoyed the scenery and watched the fishermen and boats along the river.

As we strolled along the river toward the castle, the houses to our right seemed to grow out of the steep hillside behind them.
You can see in the photo below the old home and the even older ruins of another dwelling above it...

As we walked, more signs of spring and yes, more wisteria, were everywhere!

We walked up the narrow, cobbled streets toward the top of the town...

Near the top, we paused to catch our breath and take in the view...

The castle in the photo below is Castelnaud. It looms in the distance across the river from Beynac. It was the English stronghold that faced Beynac during the Hundred Years War. There are castles situated like this all over this area built so that you could literally watch your enemy who lived just one hill away!





When it was time for John and Claude to meet their realtor, Sarah, Nick and I went to visit the nearby town of Sarlat-la-Caneda, or just Sarlat. Read about it in my next post!

actual date 4/14/07