Sarlat, welcome to the heart of Périgord Noir
Capital of Périgord Noir, Sarlat is a must-visit site, less than an hour from Brive-La-Gaillarde. Protected by oblivion, it was resurrected by the Malraux law.
Located in the south-east of the Dordogne region, between the Vézère Valley and the Dordogne Valley, Sarlat-la-Canéda - its full name - is a medieval town with a picturesque architectural heritage. Visiting Sarlat is the promise of traveling in time through eras as rich as they are varied.
5 good reasons to go to Sarlat
- Discover, in the company of a guide-lecturer, the streets lined with private mansions and noble houses with slate roofs dating from the 14th to the 17th century.
- Visit the statue of Etienne de La Boétie - local child and great friend of Montaigne - located on Place de la Grande-Rigaudie. Then, head to Place du Peyrou to admire his house.
- Follow the geocaching route (2,5 km) “Pampered Périgord” imagined by Terra Aventura.
- Stock up on foie gras, truffles and other local dishes at the markets.
- Gain height to the top of the bell tower of the old Saint Marie church thanks to the glass-clad panoramic elevator designed by the architect Jean Nouvel (another notable child of the country).
Sarlat, medieval town of Art and History
Sarlat and its architectural heritage
Like Rome, Sarlat was not built in a day! Its origins date back to the 9th century with the founding of an abbey. In the 14th century, the city - already prosperous - became a bishopric and was adorned with rich residences. This architectural transformation continued over the centuries, notably 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 construction of the Palais de Justice in the 19th century. All these buildings are still visible today.
City of Art and History
In Sarlat, we don't joke about historical monuments! Altogether, 66 classified or registered buildings are concentrated on an area of 11 hectares. The city is, moreover, included in the Guiness Book of World Records for this feat. Since 2002, it has had the City of Art and History label awarded by the Ministry of Culture.
Saving a unique architectural heritage
But if Sarlat can pride itself about having such a rich architectural heritage, it is thanks to a theater festival and a law. It all began in 1952 with the creation of the Sarlat Theatre festival. The objective is then to perform plays outdoors with the old town as a backdrop and thus put it on the spotlight. The bet paid off as in 1964, it was chosen to benefit from the Malraux law (1962) aimed at rehabilitating historical city centers. Today, the festival continues and the city still shines with its rediscovered splendor.
Sarlat and the cinema
With its many remarkably restored buildings and its paved streets, Sarlat is a perfect cinema setting! The list of films that have been shot in the city is long, ranging from Capitaine Fracasse by Alberto Cavalcanti (1928) to Les Misérables by Robert Hossein (1982) and Jeanne D'Arc by Luc Besson (1998). In 2020, it was the British movie maker Ridley Scott who set his sights on the medieval city in order to make the movie The Duelists with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Discover the Sarlat market
Every Wednesday and Saturday, the market crosses the heart of the city. Since 2001, it has even taken up residence in the old Sainte-Marie church. Inside, we can, moreover, observe the immense black metal door and the panoramic glass elevator of the bell tower designed by the Sarlat's architect Jean Nouvel. Strolling between the stalls, a detail stands out. Strange, English seems to be the indigenous language there, so much do British and American people appreciate this market (and the whole city too!). Truffles, foie gras, Duck Confit, strawberries, walnuts, here everything is an excuse to sample. Three bronze geese even have a place named after them and it is a must for travelers for the essential souvenir photo.
Major events in Sarlat
Truffle Festival, Sarlat Film and Theater festivals or even the Christmas market, Sarlat has no shortage of entertainment throughout the year. To discover them, just click here...
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Pratical information
How to get to Sarlat?
Sarlat is approximately 50 km from Brive, 60 km from Périgueux and 50 km from Rocamadour. It takes about 1 hour to drive from Brive.
Where to park in Sarlat?
In all areas, there is a parking fee from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 14 p.m. to 19 p.m., every day, from June 15 to September 15. In the Rigaudie parking lot, parking must be paid at a terminal from 8 a.m. to 22 p.m. from March 1 to October 31. Free the rest of the year.
Going to the market in Sarlat
Market hours: Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 13 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m. (8 a.m. to 13 p.m. only for the food market). The covered market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 13 p.m. from mid-April to the end of October, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from November to mid-April and every morning during the end-of-year holiday season.
Visit Sarlat with family
Many guided tours are offered by the Sarlat tourist office. One of them is especially dedicated to children aged 8 to 11. More information from Sarlat Tourist Office: 3 Quai de Tourny, 24200 Sarlat la Caneda, and on the phone +05 53 31 45 45 XNUMX.
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