The history of the commune of Plaisance can be explored through three villages: Eyrenville, Falgueyrat and Mandacou. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth looking at several aspects: the villages’ union, earlier feudal relationships, and traces of their built heritage and culture. Eyrenville and Mandacou have churches in different styles, while wayside crosses, fountains and a dovecote are other local features. The surrounding landscape is made up of gentle hills, valleys and cultivated land.
Three villages, several historical milestones
On 1 December 1972, the commune of Plaisance was formed by the union of the villages of Eyrenville, Falgueyrat and Mandacou. The union was intended to promote joint projects and ensure shared administration. On 17 January 2010, the three former communes voted in a referendum to merge. The two dates mark different milestones in the commune’s development.
In Eyrenville, the history goes back to the 15th century, at the end of the Middle Ages, and to the period after the Reformation in the 16th century. During both periods, the village was held in fief from the Seigneur-Doyen of Issigeac, who was in turn subject to the suzerainty of the Bishop of Sarlat. Falgueyrat was formerly dependent on Cadelech and probably belonged to the Seigneurie of Cahuzac. Thus, a clearly dated feudal hierarchy in Eyrenville and Falgueyrat’s explicitly probable connection to Cahuzac stand side by side as distinct historical ties.
Churches and village traces
The church in Eyrenville is Romanesque-Gothic, houses an 18th-century altarpiece and was restored in the 19th century. Different periods therefore come together in one building: its architectural style, the altarpiece and the later restoration. Mandacou has a church in the Romanesque-Byzantine style. The two churches offer a tangible comparison of different architectural traditions within the commune.
Smaller architectural features also distinguish the villages’ histories. Eyrenville has numerous wrought-iron and wooden wayside crosses. In Mandacou, fountains and a dovecote are among the local features passed down through the generations. Together with the churches, these details paint a picture shaped not only by large buildings but also by elements of everyday village life.
Landscape, stone and local produce
At commune level, gentle hills and valleys shape the landscape, covered by a mosaic of cultivated land. The commune is also home to numerous ZNIEFF sites. The French designation stands for natural areas of ecological, faunal and floristic interest. Agricultural land and these natural areas are therefore two aspects of Plaisance’s landscape.
Mandacou lies on a limestone plateau, where a long tradition of stone quarrying continues. A local company carries on this tradition. Mandacou is also associated with a historically renowned vineyard. These connections give the village a distinct link to stone and the history of winegrowing, without implying that visits or tastings are currently offered.
In Eyrenville, Aux DĂ©lices de la Ferme offers regional products. Homemade preserves, wine and products from other local producers are available there. This specific connection adds a culinary perspective to the history and landscape, helping visitors understand Plaisance through not only its buildings but also its local products.
Discover more destinations: Alles-Sur-Dordogne, Cherval, Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-De-Reilhac, Maurens, La Chapelle-Saint-Jean, Monsaguel, Excideuil, Sigoules.
For the wider travel overview: Dordogne.
