When you arrive in Terrasson-Lavilledieu, you’re at the entrance to the Vézère valley, the valley of Man…
The town’s development began in the 6th century with the establishment of a monastery around Sorus, named after the local hermit Saint-Sour, Terrasson’s founding father. In the Middle Ages, the town prospered thanks to the river trade on the Vézère, which enabled it to become a hub of traffic and commerce. Over the years, this ideal geographical location has made the town an important economic crossroads for the region.
The town’s development began in the 6th century with the establishment of a monastery around Sorus, named after the local hermit Saint-Sour, Terrasson’s founding father. In the Middle Ages, the town prospered thanks to the river trade on the Vézère, which enabled it to become a hub of traffic and commerce. Over the years, this ideal geographical location has made the town an important economic crossroads for the region.
Terrasson, the medieval village
The medieval upper town, with its narrow, sometimes winding and steep streets, is a veritable historical gem. As you stroll along the staircase lanes, you’ll discover ancient houses, a 15th-century abbey church, two bridges, one of which dates back to the 12th century, a magnificent hillside, the green cliffs of the Malpa, and 12 fountains scattered throughout the old town, all of which add a breath of fresh air to the alleyways, which are even more enjoyable on hot summer days.
The authenticity of the medieval alleyways, the creativity of the Jardins de l’Imaginaire, and the 12th-century Pont Vieux unite past and present in a unique way.
Let yourself be surprised by the discovery of the stalls of art craftsmen: wood turners, stylists, cutlery makers, upholsterers, glass blowers, ceramists… women and men rich in sometimes ancestral know-how,
All store fronts are in the style of the 1930s-1940s, with patinated wooden storefronts, hand-painted with period script. Wander freely through the Jardins de l’Imaginaire, a botanical and artistic jewel designed by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, these gardens offer a unique sensory experience, where nature is transformed into a living work of art.
Under the gaze of the abbey church of Saint-Sour, the Terrasson-Lavilledieu market unfolds on either side of the Vézère every Thursday morning. To the delight of gourmets, the truffle market in Terrasson-Lavilledieu is an annual mecca for sales of the Périgord black diamond. Local truffle growers offer direct sales of truffles from November to February.
Further down, the newer part of the town, which has been awarded the 3-flower Villes et Villages Fleuris label, is also filled with the sweet scent of flowers. In summer, the gabarre trip is an original way to see the beauties of the town on the “le Vézère” gabarre, and to discover the history of the gabarriers and Terrasson during a 40-minute river trip.
In July and August, you can also watch a video mapping show projected onto the façade at nightfall.
Discover Terrasson
- The Malpas cliff, a majestic natural area over 300 m long, can be gently climbed via a wooden footbridge. The cliffside path offers incomparable overhanging views,
- Built in the 6th century, the abbey church of Saint-Sour is one of the jewels of Périgord religious art. After many destructions, several reconstruction projects were undertaken, and it reflects a style typical of the 15th century. Take time to admire its dazzling interior, a sumptuous yet sober ensemble whose rosettes and stained-glass windows recall the legend of Saint Sour,
- Les Cluzeaux: several cluzeaux in the old town are open to visitors (free of charge). These are dug-out shelters whose function remains a mystery to this day: dug out to protect the population during Viking invasions? As a larder?
- The Bovetti Chocolate Museum tells the story of cocoa and chocolate. For children, a fun and educational visit is adapted to their age, and they are welcomed with an explanation of every stage from the harvesting of the pod to the making of the chocolate. They make a mold which they can take home with them, along with the original mold, which they can then reuse. The visit ends with a tasting session.
- Last but not least, if you like large parks and the kids love playgrounds, I recommend you visit the Jardins de l’île de la Vergne, shady gardens on the banks of the Vézère river.
The ideal starting point for a bike ride or hike, follow the “Vézère loop”, a 15-kilometer tour along the banks of the Vézère, with views of the town in the distance, the countryside and the animals of the Périgord!
