Terrasson-Lavilledieu (French pronunciation:[tɛʁasɔ̃lavildjø]; Occitan: Terrasson e La Vila Dieu) is a commune in the Dordognedepartment in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. The commune was created in 1963 by the merger of the former communes Terrasson and Lavilledieu. Terrasson station has rail connections to Bordeaux, Périgueux and Brive-la-Gaillarde.
Population
The population data given in the table below for 1962 and earlier refer to the former commune of Terrasson.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1793
2,398
—
1800
2,969
+3.10%
1806
2,880
−0.51%
1821
2,709
−0.41%
1831
2,935
+0.80%
1836
2,945
+0.07%
1841
2,893
−0.36%
1846
3,095
+1.36%
1851
3,220
+0.80%
1856
3,336
+0.71%
1861
3,234
−0.62%
1866
3,682
+2.63%
1872
3,680
−0.01%
1876
3,884
+1.36%
1881
4,078
+0.98%
1886
3,997
−0.40%
1891
3,864
−0.67%
1896
3,737
−0.67%
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1901
3,627
−0.60%
1906
3,572
−0.31%
1911
3,794
+1.21%
1921
3,413
−1.05%
1926
3,570
+0.90%
1931
3,510
−0.34%
1936
3,657
+0.82%
1946
3,751
+0.25%
1954
3,684
−0.23%
1962
4,146
+1.49%
1968
5,528
+4.91%
1975
6,221
+1.70%
1982
6,305
+0.19%
1990
6,004
−0.61%
1999
6,180
+0.32%
2007
6,214
+0.07%
2012
6,237
+0.07%
2017
6,202
−0.11%
Source: EHESS and INSEE (1968-2017)
Sights
The Gardens of the Imagination
The Gardens of the Imagination (Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire)—classified as a remarkable garden by the French Ministry of Culture—are situated in Terrasson. It was designed in 1996 by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson to present thirteen tableaux of the myths and legends of the history of gardens. It uses simple natural elements; trees, flowers, water and stone to suggest the passage of mankind from nature to agriculture to the city. It uses a symbolic sacred wood, a rose garden, topiary art, and fountains to tell the story.
