Plaisance: Village history among hills and limestone

Plaisance is shaped by the histories of several villages and a varied cultural landscape. In Eyrenville, a Romanesque-Gothic church and numerous wayside crosses made of wrought iron and wood take centre stage; Mandacou combines a limestone plateau with a long tradition of stone quarrying. Gentle hills, valleys and a mosaic of cultivated land form the setting for the entire commune. Exploring Plaisance means encountering both individual historic sites and a landscape that extends beyond these villages.

Hills, valleys and natural areas

The landscape of the commune of Plaisance is characterised by gentle hills and valleys, with a mosaic of cultivated areas. This description draws attention to the rural character of the commune without limiting it to a single village. The commune is also home to numerous ZNIEFF sites. These French natural areas are of ecological, faunal and floristic interest, adding another natural dimension to the predominantly agricultural landscape. Several trails run through the commune of Plaisance and are also part of its distinctive landscape.

Churches and village details in Eyrenville and Mandacou

In Eyrenville, the Romanesque-Gothic church houses an 18th-century altarpiece. The church was restored in the 19th century. Numerous wayside crosses made of wrought iron and wood add to the village’s architectural heritage and give it a distinctive cultural character. Mandacou has a church in the Romanesque-Byzantine style. The different architectural styles of the churches also make the villages interesting to travellers who want to discover local architecture as well as the landscape.

Mandacou is situated on a limestone plateau. The village is associated with a historically renowned vineyard, and a company based there continues a long-standing local tradition of stone quarrying. These two aspects point to different sides of the village’s history: wine-growing is part of its historic character, while stone quarrying represents a continuing local tradition. Mandacou also has wells and a dovecote. At Aux Délices de la Ferme in Eyrenville, you can buy homemade preserves, wine and products from other local producers. Alongside architecture and landscape, regional produce is therefore another tangible part of a stay in the commune.

The history of the villages

The commune of Plaisance was formed on 1 December 1972 by the merger of the villages of Eyrenville, Falgueyrat and Mandacou. The history of each place goes back further. At the end of the Middle Ages, in the 15th century, and again after the Reformation in the 16th century, Eyrenville was a fief of the Seigneur-Doyen of Issigeac, who was in turn under the suzerainty of the Bishop of Sarlat. Falgueyrat was formerly dependent on Cadelech; a connection to the lordship of Cahuzac is considered likely. These historical ties give each of the three villages its own background rather than reducing them to a shared village history.

Plaisance as a base for your stay

When looking for a holiday rental in Plaisance, it may help to decide first what you would like to focus on during your stay: village history and architecture, or the landscape of the commune? The places and themes described are spread across Eyrenville, Mandacou and Falgueyrat, while hills, valleys and cultivated land define the wider setting of the commune.

Discover more destinations: Saint-André-Et-Appelles, Peyzac-Le-Moustier, Sainte-Alvère, Badefols-D'ans, Issac, Augignac, Belvès, Mouzens.

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