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.