Plazac travel guide

Visit Plazac (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France)

Plazac is situated in the heart of the Dordogne department, in the prehistoric Vézère Valley between Les Eyzies and Montignac. Plazac is in the north west part of the Perigord Noir.

Explore Plazac

France This Way review: Although it is only a tiny village, if you are in the vicinity it is worth a visit as it is very pretty. The church and presbytery complex at the top of the village is quite unusual and has a chequered history.

The village of Plazac grew up in the Middle Ages around its church and castle which was built to protect the church and the village. During the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion and various other periods of history the castle and village were attacked several times.

There is a parking area at the entrance to the village. Beyond the parking area the village slopes upwards towards the church at the top of the hill.

Below the church is the traditional halle supported by round stone pillars and a lovely paved area, gardened on either side and leading up to the church. The halle was built in 1832 on the site of two houses which burned down two centuries earlier.

The church itself dates back to the 13th century (with 17th century modifications) and around its outside edges there is an ancient well and a frescoe which rather unusually is on an outside wall.

Attached to the church is the former chateau of Plazac which was transformed into the bishops residence and then the presbetery. The ensemble along with its elevated position at the top of a street of pretty houses and the halle gives the village a very pretty centre.

Also to see in Plazac is a medieval garden and the Fountain of Monaco. There are also a number of very grand houses as well as narrow streets with attractive stone houses to explore.

Look carefully at the roofs which are often topped with ornaments including stone or clay heads, pine cones and jugs. Windows and doors are also often decorated with engravings or sculpures.

There is also a restaurant here and a small grocery store. Plazac is also home to the Nehnang Samten Choling, a Buddhist hermitage and teaching centre.

Note: the inhabitants of Plazac gave shelter to the inhabitants of one of the villages in Alsace which suffered heavy fighting in the second world war. In thanks the residents of Binderheim built a garden and fountain in Plazac.

Attractions close to Plazac

There are numerous attractions in the heart of the Dordogne and Vezere Valley within easy reach of Plazac - prehistoric caves such as Lascaux, historic towns such as Sarlat, and a great deal of fine scenery.

Just a few kilometres from Plazac, Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere is another very pretty village.

The nearby 'La-Roque-Saint-Christophe' is an impressive area of prehistoric dwellings set in a huge cave in a cliff above the Dordogne river.

You can find more travel ideas in the Dordogne guide and the Aquitaine guide.