Sarlat, welcome to the heart of Périgord Noir
The capital of the Périgord Noir region, Sarlat is a must-see, less than an hour from Brive-La-Gaillarde. Once protected from oblivion, it was brought back to life by the Malraux law.
Situated in the south-east of the Dordogne department, between the Vézère and Dordogne valleys, Sarlat-la-Canéda - from its full name - is a medieval town with a picturesque architectural heritage. A visit to Sarlat promises a journey back in time through a rich and varied epoch.
5 good reasons to visit Sarlat
- In the company of a guide, discover the narrow streets lined with mansions and noble houses with slate roofs dating from the 14th to 17th centuries.
- Visit the statue of Etienne de La Boétie - a local boy and great friend of Montaigne - in the Place de la Grande-Rigaudie. Then head off to Place du Peyrou to admire his house.
- Follow the geocaching trail (2.5 km) " Pampered Pérogord" devised by Terra Aventura.
- Stock up on foie gras, truffles and other local delicacies at the markets.
- Take in the view from the top of the bell tower of the former Sainte-Marie church, thanks to the glass-clad panoramic lift designed by architect Jean Nouvel (another local native).
Sarlat, a medieval town of Art and History
Sarlat and its architectural heritage
Like Rome, Sarlat wasn't built in a day! Its origins date back to the 9th century, when an abbey was founded. In the 14th century, the town - already prosperous - became a bishopric and was adorned with rich mansions. This architectural transformation continued over the centuries, with the construction of the Récollets and Sainte-Claire convents in the 17th century, the destruction of the ramparts and the creation of boulevards in the 18th century, and the building of the Palais de Justice in the 19th century. All these buildings can still be seen today.
Town of Art and History
Sarlat is no joke when it comes to historic monuments! In all, 66 listed or registered buildings are concentrated in an 11-hectare area. In fact, the town is in the record books for this feat. In 2002, it was awarded the City of Art and History label by the French Ministry of Culture.
Rescuing a unique architectural heritage
But if Sarlat can boast such a rich architectural heritage, it's thanks to a theatre festival and a law. It all began in 1952 with the creation of the Jeux du Théâtre festival. The aim was to stage plays in the open air, with the old town as a backdrop. The gamble paid off, as in 1964 the town was chosen to benefit from the Malraux law (1962) aimed at rehabilitating historic town centres. Today, the festival continues, and the town continues to shine with its new-found splendour.
Sarlat and the cinema
With its many remarkably restored buildings and cobbled streets, Sarlat is the perfect film set! The list of films shot in the town is long, from Alberto Cavalcanti's Capitaine Fracasse (1928) to Robert Hossein's Misérables (1982) and Luc Besson's Joan of Arc (1998). In 2020, it was the British director Ridley Scott who set his sights on the medieval city to direct the film The Duelists, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Discover the Sarlat market
Every Wednesday and Saturday, the market runs through the heart of the town. Since 2001, it has even taken up residence in the former Sainte-Marie church. Inside, you can see the huge black metal door and the panoramic glass lift in the bell tower designed by Sarlat architect Jean Nouvel. As you stroll between the stalls, one detail catches your eye. Strangely enough, English seems to be the native language here, so much do the British and Americans love this market (and the whole town too!). Truffles, foies gras, duck confits, strawberries, walnuts everything here is an excuse to taste it. Three bronze geese even have a square named after them, and it's a must for travellers who want to take a souvenir photo.
Major events in Sarlat
Whether it's the Truffle Festival, the Sarlat Film Festival, the Theatre Games Festival or the Christmas Market, Sarlat has no shortage of events throughout the year. To find out more, click here...
Practical information
How do I get to Sarlat?
Sarlat is about 50 km from Brive, 60 km from Périgueux and 50 km from Rocamadour. It takes about 1 hour to drive from Brive.
Where can I park in Sarlat?
Paid parking is available in all zones from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 7pm, every day from 15 June to 15 September. In the Rigaudie car park, parking is charged at the pay station from 8am to 10pm from 1 March to 31 October. Free parking the rest of the year.
Shopping in Sarlat
Market times: Wednesdays from 8am to 1pm and Saturdays from 8am to 5pm (8am to 1pm for the food market only). The covered market is open from 8.30am to 1pm from mid-April to the end of October, from 8.30am to 12.30pm from November to mid-April and every morning during the festive season.
Visiting Sarlat as a family
Sarlat Tourist Office offers a wide range of guided tours. One of them is specially designed for children aged 8 to 11. For more information, contact the Sarlat Tourist Office: 3 Quai de Tourny, 24200 Sarlat la Caneda, or 05 53 31 45 45.
Partager cet article
Ou partagez le lien
You will also like...
