PA Scenic Overlooks

Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook | A Visitors Guide

A collage of four images from the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Top left: A picturesque view of rolling hills and a winding river seen from the overlook with lush greenery and farmland. Top right: An informational sign about the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook, indicating it as a WPA Project on Historic Route 6 with contributions from various Pennsylvania departments and commissions. Bottom left: A view through a stone structure's window at the overlook framing the scenic landscape beyond. Bottom right: A bright orange truck parked along a road adjacent to the scenic overlook, with the landscape stretching into the distance.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County PA, you’re in the right place!

An orange pickup truck parked near a stone gazebo at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The overlook offers a stunning view of rolling hills, lush greenery, and a winding river in the distance. — Panoramic vistas of rolling hills and the meandering Susquehanna River await at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook.

Located 5 miles north of Wyalusing along Route 6, the Marie Antoinette Overlook offers breathtaking views of the Susquehanna River with a unique historical connection to French royalty.

Named after the ill-fated French Queen, this spot is not just a feast for the eyes but a journey into an intriguing slice of history.

Expansive view from the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The vista includes a colorful mosaic of autumn foliage in the foreground, with a mix of green, yellow, orange, and red leaves. — A glimpse into the past, where French refugees sought solace amidst the beauty of Pennsylvania.

After the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, a group of French royalists purchased large tracts of land in Pennsylvania with the hope that it might serve as a safe retreat for themselves and their Queen.

Photograph of a historical plaque titled 'ASYLUM' at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The bronze plaque commemorates a settlement of French royalists who fled the French Revolution in 1793. Notable figures such as Queen Marie Antoinette are mentioned as potential refugees to the area. The plaque is adorned with an embossed crest and inscribed with the names of distinguished visitors. The Bradford County Historical Society erected the marker in 1936, as noted at the bottom. — Historical marker at the overlook.

Although Marie Antoinette never made it to American shores (she was executed by guillotine in 1793), the overlook serves as a poignant reminder of what might have been her sanctuary.

Aerial view of a green, patchwork field in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, labeled as the site of the settlement's Market Square from the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook. The landscape features varying shades of green crops, a few scattered trees, and a road cutting through the middle. — Site of the former French Azilum.

Exploring the Overlook

Visiting the Marie Antoinette Overlook is an immersive experience that is both educational and visually stunning.

Panoramic view from the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, showcasing a sweeping landscape of rolling hills, lush forests, and farmland. A winding river cuts through the valley, with farm buildings nestled among fields. — The Susquehanna River winds its way through the valley, a shimmering ribbon against the backdrop of green hills.

Interpretive signs at the site offer insights into the history and the natural features of the area.

Informational display at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, detailing the history of the area. It describes the choice French loyalists had to make during the revolution, the establishment of French Azilum, and the purchase and development of the land by Philadelphia businessmen. A historical layout map of the original town plan is included on the right side of the panel, showing the division into lots. The text mentions the various buildings and services that once existed, such as shops, a church, and a theater, and notes that none of these structures remain today. — Interpretive sign at the overlook.

The panoramic views are reminiscent of the lush wine country landscapes of the Loire Valley in France, a fitting homage to the Queen.

Expansive view from the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, showcasing rolling farmland with patterned fields, a farmstead in the center, and wooded hills in the distance. A river meanders through the landscape under a vast sky dotted with cumulus clouds. — Looking out over the site of the former French refuge.

As it meanders below the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook, the Susquehanna River carves a tranquil and winding path through the fertile Pennsylvania countryside.

Scenic landscape viewed from the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, featuring a serpentine river flanked by lush hills with colorful trees in the foreground and a farm with multiple buildings in the open fields. — View to the south from the overlook.

Construction of the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook

The Works Progress Administration (WPA), a cornerstone of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal during the 1930s, was instrumental in constructing the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook.

The stone architectural features of the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, offering a viewing platform with a stone balustrade and a small stone turret-like structure. The overlook provides a panoramic view of the lush, rolling hills stretching into the distance, framed by a blue sky with abundant white clouds. — The Works Progress Administration built much of the existing infrastructure at the overlook in the 1930s.

This project was one of many that aimed to provide jobs to Americans during the Great Depression while also developing public infrastructure.

Informational sign at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, detailing the overlook's history as a 1930s WPA project on Historic Route 6 and its relation to the French Azilum historic site. The sign lists various Pennsylvania state departments, county commissioners, and conservation entities involved in funding and administration, against a backdrop of a blue sky with fluffy clouds and a green landscape. — Agencies involved in building and maintaining the overlook.

The scenic overlook not only served as a means to employ local workers but also created a lasting historical and recreational site, offering expansive views of the Susquehanna River and commemorating an intriguing aspect of local lore.

View from inside a circular stone structure at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with a wide arched opening framing a vast landscape of green fields, trees, and a river in the distance under a blue sky with scattered clouds. — View from inside one of the stone gazebos at the overlook.

The symmetrical stone gazebos at the overlook, products of WPA craftsmanship, stand as enduring symbols of the era’s architectural style and provide visitors with a charming shelter from which to admire the picturesque Bradford County landscape below.

Interior view of a conical wooden roof structure, with radial beams converging at the center, seen from below. The rustic appearance is accentuated by the natural color of the wood and the stone wall edge visible at the bottom. — Gazebo ceiling.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or a traveler looking for a unique pit stop on a Route 6 road trip, the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook is a memorable destination.

A serene vista from the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, framed by the rustic stone edge of the lookout point. The view opens up to a picturesque valley with a river winding through, flanked by rolling hills and scattered farmlands under a partly cloudy sky. — Where dreams of a French refuge met the reality of Pennsylvania’s breathtaking scenery.

As you gaze out over the Susquehanna from this lofty perch, allow your imagination wander back to a time of kings and queens, revolutions, and the dreams of a French refuge in the heart of Pennsylvania.

Historical marker titled 'Azilum' under a blue sky with clouds, located at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The sign, with golden embossed lettering, explains the significance of the location as the site of a 1793-1803 French refugee colony, where a great house was built for Marie Antoinette and her son. — History meets nature at the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook, a Pennsylvania treasure.

For a more modern experience, you can always check out the Marie Antoinette Bar and Grill adjacent to the overlook.

Signpost for 'The Marie Antoinette Bar & Grill' located near the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. — The Marie Antoinette Bar and Grill sign along Route 6.

While it may not conjure up the ambiance of French elegance associated with its namesake Queen, it DOES offer $3.00 pints of Yuengling, something no French monarch ever got to enjoy!

The Marie Antoinette Bar and Grill near the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. — The Marie Antoinette Bar and Grill next to the overlook.

Nearby Attractions

Wyalusing Rocks is another gorgeous roadside scenic overlook along Route 6 in Bradford County, just 4 miles south of the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook.

Exploring Wyalusing Rocks in Bradford County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Wyalusing Rocks Scenic Overlook in Bradford County.

Knapp’s Covered Bridge in Bradford County has the distinction of being the highest covered bridge in Pennsylvania.

Directions to Knapp's Covered Bridge in Bradford County Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Knapp’s Covered Bridge in Bradford County.

8 Must-See Attractions in Bradford County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near the Marie Antoinette Scenic Overlook.

This is a collage of four photos showcasing attractions in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features the Bradford County Courthouse with its impressive dome and stately architecture. To the top right, there’s a serene view of a meandering river viewed from a vantage point with two wooden benches inviting a peaceful rest. The bottom left photo displays a quaint covered wooden bridge surrounded by lush foliage. The bottom right image captures the dynamic beauty of a cascading waterfall in a forested area, embodying the natural splendor of the county. Together, these images represent the historical and natural highlights of Bradford County. — Scenes from Bradford County.

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