The Marqueyssac Gardens in the Périgord region of France are not only the most visited in the region but among the most reminiscent of a fairytale landscape. Perched on a hill overlooking the Dordogne valley, Julien de Cerval’s topiary masterpiece from 1866 features some 150,000 boxwood trees pruned to resemble the rolling hills below, and 6 kilometers of shaded trails divided into 3 circuits, each leading visitors to a Belvedere lookout for an awe-inspiring view of the river 130 meters below. Not-to-be-missed: Thursday evenings at sunset when over a thousand candles are placed throughout the gardens for what can only be described as a magical experience.

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A View of the Dordogne from the Gardens of Marqueyssac

The Marqueyssac Gardens in the Périgord region of France are not only the most visited in the region but among the most reminiscent of a fairytale landscape. Perched on a hill overlooking the Dordogne valley, Julien de Cerval’s topiary masterpiece from 1866 features some 150,000 boxwood trees pruned to resemble the rolling hills below, and 6 kilometers of shaded trails divided into 3 circuits, each leading visitors to a Belvedere lookout for an awe-inspiring view of the river 130 meters below. Not-to-be-missed: Thursday evenings at sunset when over a thousand candles are placed throughout the gardens for what can only be described as a magical experience.

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