Terrasson

Terrasson is a pretty town with blue slate roofs on many buildings, which is unusual in most of the Dordogne region.

These are best admired from the Jardins de l'imaginaire (see section on Dordogne gardens) - these famous gardens are a big attraction in Terrasson and should not be missed.

The city is located on both sides of the river Vezere. On one side is the newer part of town with most of the stores and also the place where the market is held. The market is held on Thursdays and is located on the edge of the river - a beautiful setting on a sunny morning.

On the other side of the river is the old town. If you go uphill to the right (with the river behind you), you will come to the magnificent Jardins de l'Imaginaire. Keep going uphill and to the left and you will enter the old town of Terrasson. This area is not very big, but very attractive.

The old town is paved and largely pedestrianized. The walls are of a light cream colored stone and the roofs of gray slate. Most of the houses are stone, but some are half-timbered, and all are in different styles, making for an interesting mix of styles.

The highlight is the Place Bouquier halfway up the hill. Here there are some beautiful buildings and a garden that leads up to the abbey church. Note the coat of arms embedded in the ground, made of pebbles and tiles.

Look for Rue de la Marzelle, where there is a beautiful building with a tall stone column surrounding a half-timbered building.

Continue until you reach the church, from which you will have a magnificent view of Place Bouquier and the surrounding city.

The original 11th century church of Saint Sour was destroyed during the Hundred Years' War and in the heyday of the 15th century the abbey church was rebuilt - this time in the Renaissance style. During the religious wars again much was destroyed. Today the church has been renovated. Below the church on Place Bouquier there are several sights. One of them is the beautiful Maison Bouquier with its attractive facade. Also note the building with the mural of a Cluzeau.

Cluzeaux are caves carved into the rock, believed to have been created as places of refuge, as they all contain a water source. There are 12 cluzeaux in Terrasson, two of which can be visited. One of them is located near the house with the mural in a small side street.

If you turn west from Place Bouquier, you can see the city walls and the Falaise du Malpas. A good vantage point is at the end of the city walls. Above the church is the Chateau Seigneurial, the Chateau Brossard de Marcillac.

Another highlight of Terrassons is the stone bridge dating back to the 12th century. Crossing the Pont Vieux, the "old bridge", you will have a magnificent view of Terrasson and the charming houses that stand on the banks of the river. Here you can also board a "gabare", a traditional boat, and take a ride on the river.