Plazac, France; a pretty village in the Dordogne

Visit Plazac

Plazac is 30 km south-west of Terrasson on the eastern edge of the Dordogne department near to the border with Correze. It is in the area of the Dordogne known as the Perigord Noir or 'Black Perigord'.

Explore Plazac

Plazac is a lovely little village with a central 'square' which slopes steeply uphill towards a church and the attached former castle which has a lovely wooden balcony running along its length. The church dates back to the 13th century though it has had various modifications throughout the centuries.

On the side of the church you can see a frescoe on the outside wall. Inside the church is a 17th century Pieta and the 'Chemin du Cross' is in Italian style.

The village originally grew up around its church and its chateau. The chateau was transformed into a residence for the bishops and later into a presbytery. Its donjon overlooks the pretty cemetery of the village. There is also a small medieval garden with interesting plants that are often forgotten in modern gardens.

All along the pathway uphill towards the church the edges are gardened making it very attractive. At the bottom of this section is Plazac's village hall with its attractive stone pillars. This was built in the early 19th century.

Exploring the narrow streets radiating out from the church and halle there are lots of beautiful stone houses in a variety of styles. Some have stone or ceramic decorations on the roofs including stone heads and a ceramic pine cone.

Windows and doorways are often decorated too with sculptures or engraved dates or pictures including the scallop shell symbol of pilgims to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

There is also a lovely fountain area which has a statue and is surrounded by pretty stone walls and colourful planting making it a charming spot.

Plazac has a restaurant and a small grocery store. Plazac is also the location of a Buddhist hermitage and education centre called the Nehnang Samten Choling.

During the second world war the inhabitants of Plazac provided shelter for the inhabitants of Binderheim in the Alsace which was subject to very heavy fighting. In return the residents of Binderheim created a garden and fountain for Plazac as a thank-you.