Download The 15th-century St Sour church and abbey

Tour-Terrasson-Lavilledieu
Terrasson-Lavilledieu, at the gateway to the Périgord noir and the Vézère Valley – listed
as World Heritage with UNESCO –, offers you the opportunity to spend a day discovering
the town's treasures, free of charge.
The 15th-century St Sour church and abbey:
The building had an eventful history from the year 1000 to the end of the 19th century.
The construction of a first abbey was undertaken by Sorus, a monk from the Auvergne
area, in the year 560. In the 8th and 9th centuries, when the Vikings penetrated the region
from the Vézère river, the Benedictines decided to build this abbey church on the highest
part of the hillside. The church is fortified with ramparts along the cliff. But the Hundred
Years' War and the wars of religion would mean that the building was destroyed several
times over. Several restoration periods would follow. In the 16th century, the church
would be renovated and a Flamboyant Gothic style entrance would be built (listed as a
historic monument). The church would then be restored in the 18th century and
significant work would be carried out in the 19th century by Abbot Pergot (the canon of
Périgueux) and Abbot Cheval. The magnificent stained glass telling the story of Saint
Sour was created during this period, and the rectory was added. The Saint Sour church
is currently being renovated, and archaeological digs are being carried out by HADES
(the private archaeological investigation bureau of Bordeaux). This work has uncovered
tombs with 'built frames' (sarcophagi formed by joined flat stones) as well as a
monolithic limestone sarcophagus and ancient walls (which probably belonged to the
10th century Romanesque church).
The Malpas cliff
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Tour-Terrasson-Lavilledieu
With its walkway suspended along the ramparts and the massive work that was carried
out in 2006 to secure, renovate and embellish the landscape... The cliff is an atypical
tourist attraction that brings visitors a superb 'bird's eye' panorama ovWith its walkway
suspended along the ramparts and the massive work that was carried out in 2006 to
secure, renovate and embellish the landscape... The cliff is an atypical tourist attraction
that brings visitors a superb 'bird's eye' panorama over the river and rooftops, lanes and
monuments of the town.
Incredibly, this cliff is 200 million years old. It is a majestic natural area more than 300m
(984ft) long located in the heart of the town, but it was almost destroyed. It is also a risky
zone in geological terms, which is where the name 'Malpas' comes from. The term was
used by cargo barge mariners to indicate a whirlpool in the river, but also a difficult
obstacle.
Indeed, the Malpas cliff is made up of araigné sandstone ('araigné' being derived from
the Latin 'arena' which means 'sand'), so it is extremely crumbly. Erosion, the changes
that man has brought to it by creating the road and then building the town, as well as
plants and underground springs have all brought changes to the cliff. There was a major
risk of a landslide at one time.
In 2003, an emergency plan was established, and a colossal undertaking began.
Specialised (mountaineer) workers were brought in to safeguard the cliff (purging
unstable land, piercing horizontal and vertical drains) and maintain it (with wire netting
and sprayed concrete). The town council made the most of this opportunity to enhance
the beauty of the natural space by adding a walkway and greenery. A delicate, dynamic
light system now brings the cliff as much enchantment in the evening as it has in the
daytime.
Pont Vieux, the old bridge
This is the first bridge built in hard materials to have been built across the Vézère. It
was built in the 12th century by Bendictine monks, like the Old Mill and the dyke. To do
so, a canal called 'Brasset' was dug, to lower the water level and divert its flow. Pont
Vieux features Romanesque arches and other ogival arches which give it an original
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humpback shape and mark its various phases of restoration.
It has 6 arches in all along its 140m (341ft) of span. Its characteristic 'beak' jutting out
over the water breaks the river's current and was used to make way for carts to cross.
On this bridge every Thursday morning, locals meet for a very colourful market: one of
the most famous in all the Périgord.
Maison conventionnel Bouquier
In the heart of a historic heritage that has been undergoing a vast rehabilitation and
protection programme since 2004. This square can also be called ‘Place de la Halle’, as a
covered market was built here under Napoléon III. It was destroyed after WWII.
On 13 May 1990, this square was named after Gabriel Bouquier and inaugurated by
Pierre Delmon, the current mayor of Terrasson.
Here you can see the beautiful Renaissance house which was one of the residences of G.
Bouquier (listed in the register of historic places on 22 August 1949). The Maison du
Conventionnel Bouquier overlooks this square located across from the Saint Sour
church.
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Gardens of historic inspiration
Facing the Jardins de l'Imaginaire, in the heart of the historic district, these magnificent
gardens are inspired by past centuries, from the Baroque period to the 18th century.
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Circuit of Fountains
The fountain called Saint-Sour, located at the base of the church of the same name, is
one of 10 fountains that are part of Terrasson’s water-flow circuit.
In addition to the fountain theme circuit indicated in the town map guide, you may also
discover springs, drinking troughs, wash-houses and of course the Vézère river.
This fountain is special because it is free-standing; you may examine it from every angle.
It is supported by the embankment that leads to Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire.
Its sculptures were inspired by the works of Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, a famous
19th-century sculptor (Opéra Garnier in Paris). Two fauns and a nymph support the
fountain's stone basin. The attitude and dynamism of these three characters is
intriguing.
Another original feature is the pediment in the shape of a gendarme's hat.
During the summer season, the various fountains bring their coolness to the atmosphere
and pleasantly punctuate the tour of the town.
Discover the other fountains, including a cast iron one in the Italian Renaissance style on
the church square; and the largest one of the town, that of the garden of Vergne Island.
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Les
Cluzeaux
(By reservation as part of the tour of the historic district.
For more information )
An authentic Terrasson curiosity: these underground shelters are shrouded in mystery.
Most of them include at least one source of water, leading us to believe that they could
have served as refuge during hard times.
The town of Terrasson possesses a rich heritage marked by every period, as well as an
unusual, mysterious side, with these 12 cluzeaux.
The word 'cluzeau' describes a man-made rocky dug-out.
Geology: inferior layer of red sandstone dating from the Palaeozoic. Very crumbly
sandstone called 'araigné', derived from 'arena', the Latin word for 'sand'. The dug-out
collects the run-off from the hillside: water that is constantly dripping through the rock.
It is composed of a central tunnel and a succession of alcoves on both sides. Here in
Terrasson, the dug-out can be described as having a fishbone shape: where the fish
head would be, there is a body of crystal clear water; the rock is carved out in the shape
of a vertebral column and fins on both sides.
The floor of the grotto is cobbled with river pebbles from the Vézère, and a slope directs
the water into a central channel.
There are no real traces of the tools used, no sculptures or exact dating; but it is
considered that these grottoes were dug out in the High Middle Ages at the time that the
Saint Julien Abbey was built. This is also part of the mystery.
The dug-outs might have been used as warehouses for merchandise (trade was intense
here from medieval times to the beginning of the 20th century) but they seem too humid
to have held anything but wine, with their water reservoir and the constant dripping
along the walls. It seems that they were used as a shelter to protect inhabitants from
attackers, from the Viking invasions through to WWII.
Maison du Patrimoine
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Tour-Terrasson-Lavilledieu
Maison
well
permanent
as
the
du
vestiges
and
temporary
of
reveals
popular
exhibitions.
to
heritage
you
the
typical
history
of
and
the
heritage
Périgord
of
noir,
the
through
Terrasson
itsthis
area,
asto
renovated
year,
come
former
discover
convent.
three
on
display
on
the
floors
of
fully
Histoire
et
Patrimoine
du
Terrassonnais
(History
and
Heritage
of
thelittle
Terrasson
Area)
This
objects
trip
relate
the
history
town
of
isTerrasson
adistrict!
journey
from
through
prehistory
time.
Historic
to
the
present
explanations
day.
and
antique
Cents
Ans
d’Ecole
àSeptember
Terrasson
(A
hundred
years
of
school
invarious
Terrasson)
200
reminisce
class
photos
on
your
from
childhood
1890
to
or
the
that
1990s
of
your
and
parents.
some
nostalgic
objects
are
an
invitation
Les
Epis
de
Faitage
(Finials)
Finials
exhibition
strolling
are
through
in
also
the
in
gardens
the
the
historic
spotlight,
or
perched
with
an
on
exhibition
rooftops.
Don't
devoted
forget
to
these
to
look
up gems:
when
you
finials
are
on
Open
20
June
to
29
-exhibitions
Free
Admission
Wednesday
through
Sunday
11:30am
to
12:30pm
and
1:30pm
to
6pm
Rue
du
Couvent
(Across
from
the
Saint
Sour
church)
Tel.
05.53.50.80.48
200km (124 mi) of hiking paths
From the Vézère and its tributaries to the hamlets and villages nestled on the
neighbouring hillsides, walk in the footsteps of our ancestors to better understand
modern man. Traces of prehistory – both discreet and obvious – are present at every
step.
The natural world offers varied landscapes, open spaces and sometimes steep climbs.
Bolete mushrooms hide along the leafy slopes of these woodlands, while truffles abound
underfoot in the limestone stretches and grottoes peek out along the cliffs; you'll pass
through farmers’ fields and holly oak woods dotted with wild orchids. Don't miss the vast
views over the Vézère and even glimpses of the Auvergne mountains! Geologically
speaking, there are many clues to facilitate your interpretation: an alluvial plain along the
Vézère river, limestone plateaus on the Causse... A variety of landscapes, colours and
atmospheres. The hipped roofs of houses in slate or thackstone are proof of this variety.
Well-known churches and small chapels, as well as wash-houses, bread ovens, and
crossroad crosses make up a rich, characteristic rural heritage.
On your way through, you will encounter inhabitants of the Périgord who will share with
you secrets of their expertise, from walnut cultivation to duck rearing and truffle farming.
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