A Castle in the Backyard

In one of the most beautiful river valleys in Europe, in the region known as Perigord in southwest France, Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden fell in love with a small stone house which was in the shadow of a medieval castle, and which became their summer home. This title offers a glimpse of a region little known to Americans - the Dordogne Valley, its castles and prehistoric art, its walking trails and earthy cuisine - and describe the charms and mishaps of setting up housekeeping thousands of miles from home.Along with the region's terrain and culture, "A Castle in the Backyard" introduces the reader to the people of Perigord - the castle proprietor, the village children, the gossipy real-estate agent, the rascally mason, and the 90-year old widow with a tale of heartbreak. A celebration of a place and its people, the book also reflects on the future of historic Perigord, as tourism and development pose a challange to its graceful way of life.