Sarlat is a medieval city located in the south-east of the Dordogne, which does not leave its visitors insensitive. The capital of the Périgord Noir, combines the styles of different periods from the Middle Ages to the 16th century.
For those who read us regularly, I am originally from Périgueux, the capital of the Dordogne, located about 1h15 from Sarlat, I know this department (almost) by heart. I have always had a big crush on Sarlat and I still love to walk there at any time of the year.
Sarlat will certainly tell you something because it is the third French city hosting the most filming. This city of exceptional charm is also classified as a City of Art and History, with 66 classified monuments.
We share with you below our top 10 must-see and must-do items in Sarlat, as well as our ideal walking itinerary, to help you organize your Sarlat stay! We hope you will enjoy Sarlat as much as we do!
Sommaire
- How to visit Sarlat ?
- What is the difference between Sarlat La Caneda and Sarlat?
- What to do and see in Sarlat ? our top 10
- Our itinerary, in the medieval center, on foot [carte]
- Visit Sarlat with your family
- What are the specialties and what to bring back from Sarlat?
- Practical information (hotel, restaurants, parking…)
- What villages and sites to visit around Sarlat?
How to visit Sarlat ?
The ideal is to parkoutside the medieval and historicalcenter (we explain everything below) and then to walk through the small streets of the old Sarlat.
What is the difference between Sarlat La Caneda and Sarlat?
Ah it’s the same city, Sarlat-la-Canéda is more commonly called Sarlat, its little diminutive! In the Dordogne, we like to make life easier for ourselves and often call things two ways (like the Dordogne and the Périgord)!
What to do and see in Sarlat ? our top 10
- Sarlat seen from the sky
- Birthplace of Etienne de la Boétie, a city of stars
- Sarlat and its movie sets
- The famous bronze geese, emblems of Sarlat
- Gastronomic markets that will make you want to taste everything
- The summer night animations which animate the evenings
- Sarlat by night, as soon as the night falls the gas lighting is activated, then the magic happens
- The Place de la Liberté, the heart of Sarlat
- The atypical building of the Lantern of the Dead
- The events that will make you want to come back all year long!
1. Sarlat seen from the sky
Take the height to admire Sarlat seen from the sky, embark on a glass elevator located in the bell tower of the old Church of St. Mary that will climb to about 40 meters high to have a 360 degree view of Sarlat.
This feat is the work of the architect Jean Nouvel who spent his childhood in Sarlat, a city of art, history and STARS!
2. Birthplace of Etienne de la Boétie
Discover the imposing house where Etienne de la Boétie was born, located in the middle of the medieval center, you can’t miss it!
3. Film sets
Stroll through the cobbled streets to find the medieval settings that have been used in many French films, “Les Visiteurs”, “Jeanne d’arc”…
4. A little “Selfies
Take a selfie or a picture with the famous bronze geese, the emblems of Sarlat, located on the market square.
Gastronomic markets
Meet the local producers and try one of the many Périgourdine specialties on the markets of Sarlat, outdoor or indoor.
In Sarlat, behind the large doors of the old church of Sainte-Marie, the market is held every day of the year. In winter, it is here that the truffle and fat markets are held.
This former church has been rehabilitated into a covered market, once again by Jean Nouvel. You won’t be able to miss its imposing and magnificent 15-meter high double door.
6. Summer evening entertainment
Take advantage of the summer night animations, there is no program, while strolling in the old Sarlat you will come face to face with street artists who really animate the city, its streets and its squares.
7. Sarlat by night
As soon as night falls, thegas lighting is activated in the historic and medieval center, then the magic happens, it’s time to rediscover Sarlat.
8. The Place de la liberté, the lively center of Sarlat
Have a drink at Place de la Liberté, located in the heart of the historic center, to observe the local life
9. The sumptuous Lantern of the Dead
Observe the Lantern of the Dead, an atypical building of 10 meters high located behind the cathedral, original
10. The events to come back all year long
In Dordogne, we like to party, there is always an animation somewhere, in Sarlat also obviously, the many cultural and gastronomic events inflame the city throughout the year:
- January : it’s the truffle festival, the black diamond of the Périgord
- March: Sarlat celebrates the goose, a weekend of festivities around the emblem of the Sarlat region: the goose
- May : it’s the days of the soil
- July and August: street artists take over and animate the city
- September: Sarlat celebrates again its gastronomy with the days of the taste and the gastronomy. As well as the Night of the Heritage, an evening during which all the streets of the city are illuminated with candles, in short an evening where the magic operates!
- November : it’s the film festival
- December : it’s the sublime Christmas marketin the heart of theold Sainte-Marie church
Our itinerary, in the medieval center, on foot [carte]
This is the most interesting part of Sarlat. You will certainly have a feeling of uniformity while exploring its historical center because all the buildings are made of stone with golden hues and the sloping roofs are made with lauzes (limestone slabs). Come on, we’ll take you with us!
Start your exploration of the medieval center with the impressive Saint Sacerdos cathedral (A), the visit of the interior is free, then continue to the Maison de la Boetie (B) located almost opposite, walk along the rue Montaigne until you reach the circular building La lanterne des morts, (C) a sepulchral chapel with original architecture.
Then take Landry Street to the Presidial (D), the seat of royal justice from the 16th to the 18th century, then take the rue Fénelon stop at the passage Gérard de Barry (E), to admire the beautiful mansion and stop place de la liberté (F), the nerve center of Sarlat, to admire the town hall.
Enjoy the outdoor market and the covered market located in the old church of Saint Mary (G). It’s time to take the elevator to see Sarlat from the sky.
Don’t forget to take a selfie or a picture of the emblem of Sarlat, in front of the bronze status of the famous geese (H). The Manoir de Gisson is located on this same square, then take the rue des Consuls to thestaircase (I) which belonged to the ramparts that protected the city.
Finally, take a break and enjoy the local specialties in one of the many restaurants in the city center (our recommendation below).
Thetourist office is located in the historical center, 3 rue de Tourny, next to the huge Saint-Sacerdos cathedral.
It takes about 2 hours to complete the 1.5km course!
Visit Sarlat with your family
In order to explore the medieval center with your family you can download thefree mobile geocaching application: Terra Adventure. Le Périgord course , simply great with or without children!
How does Terra Aventura work? the application proposes routes in different places in New Aquitaine, players visualize their position on the map and must answer the riddles to advance from stage to stage. We love the principle of this application, because we are guided to explore the cities and we learn a lot about history, architecture, gastronomy… All this in a fun way, for young and old alike!
Our daughter is still a little small to fully enjoy it, we have tested it withother children and they love it every time!
Count on 2h30 to complete the entire route which passes through the emblematic places of the old Sarlat and to find the treasure!
What are the specialties and what to bring back from Sarlat?
The culinary specialties in Dordogne Perigord are numerous and delicious, it is clearly not the time to start a diet!
- The black truffle offers an intense taste, to consume grated integrated into an omelette or in butter, it is tested and approved
- Geese and ducks, the star products of the Périgord, in confit, in magret or in foie gras, are always a delight in moderation!
- The Sarlatan potatoes that go wonderfully well with all meats
- The cep raises the potatoes sarladaise or omelets
- Walnuts andwalnut oil that will season all your appetizers
- And of course, don’t forget to accompany all these delicious dishes with local wines
Practical information (hotel, restaurants, parking…)
Where to park in Sarlat ?
We were pleasantly surprised, for once, the town hall devotes a detailed and very clear page on the different parking zones around Sarlat indicating precisely the paid and free periods.
Here is the map you can find on the page, the blue zones offer free parking all year long. The other areas are Free parking between 12:00 and 2:00 pm (except on rue de la République) and the first hour of parking is free all year long.
Where to eat?
For those who follow us, you know that we love to come back to the Dordogne to eat. We are lucky to have a great offer, with many chefs who know how to sublimate the products of our beloved land!
- Coin coin: it is a must during your stay in Sarlat, which proposes refined tapas, carefully prepared with local products: croquettes of duck confit, croque with truffle… an address not to be missed in Sarlat.
- La Galerie: a snack bar that offers a menu with two nice kebabs, a bowl of fries and a bowl of salad (in the evening 16€). An original address, with quality products, without breaking the bank.
- Maison Lissajoux : for a breakfast or a brunch in an incredible place decorated with taste, which proposes quality products and incredibly good and beautiful pastries. In short, don’t look any further, this is the bakery and pastry shop that you must try during your stay.
- Le Comptoir Authentique: a store that offers a wide range of local products, fois gras, terrines, walnut cake, walnut beer… And that offers gourmet sandwiches to taste on the spot or to take away before exploring the surroundings of Sarlat !
Where to sleep?
We recommend you to stay at theHotel Montaigne very well located, 1 minute walk from the medieval center of Sarlat, you can visit the whole city on foot.
Les chambres sont spacieuses et très propres, le matelas était hyper confortable. There is air-conditioning, which was very appreciated during the hot summer days. Free parking in low season. In short, an excellent quality/price ratio!
We advise you to book your accommodation in advance because during the school vacations and in high season, hotels are quickly full, as Sarlat is a very popular town in summer!
What villages and sites to visit around Sarlat?
The Périgord Noir is full of sites, between the villages classified “Most beautiful villages of France“, the decorated caves, the chasms, the gardens, the castles, the nautical and sporting activities, you will quickly realize that one stay is not enough to discover everything!
Lascaux IV
The unmissable, full replica of the Lascaux cave, the new site offers an immersive and interactive experience, the museum will appeal to young and old, 30 minutes north of Sarlat
Eyzies
Les Eyzies de Tayac is a village nestled in the cliffs, a mecca of the Périgord, with a prehistory museum and numerous decorated caves in the area, 30 minutes east of Sarlat.
Beynac-et-Cazenac
Beynac and celebrates its castle, a setting that served as a backdrop for the film “Les Visiteurs“.
Don’t miss the castle of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle with its impressive fortified castle founded in the 12th century. They were rivals during the conflicts in the Middle Ages – 20 minutes south of Sarlat
La Roque-Gageac and Domme
Two beautiful villages, La Roque Gageac, a village nestled between the cliff and the river, then go to Domme, 10 minutes away, village built on the heights of a cliff overlooking the Dordogne river, you will have a beautiful view of the Dordogne valley, these 2 villages are classified “Most beautiful villages of France” – 20 minutes south of Sarlat
La Roque Gageac is the third most visited site in France after Mont-Saint-Michel and Rocamadour
Cette excursion d’une demi journée organisée dans la vallée de la Dordogne, au départ de Sarlat pourrait vous intéresser. Elle inclut les villages de Domme, La Roque Gageac et Beynac ainsi que le chateau de Beynac
Proumeyssac chasm
This chasm will impress you by its depth and its geological wealth – 30 minutes west of Sarlat
For families, Santa Claus visits the children in the abyss by descending through the gondola, magic guaranteed, our daughter loved it.
Gardens of Eyrignac
The Gardens of Eyrignac are subtly worked, you will come out of it as zen as ever! 20 minutes north east
The Dordogne
Explore the Dordogne by canoe or Gabarre, in a few strokes of the paddle you will feel immediately elsewhere and this walk will offer you beautiful views of castles and perched villages.
Périgueux, the pearl of the Dordogne
Perigueux is a mustduring your stay in Dordogne. Originally from Périgueux, I love my city and I promise you that you will not be disappointed. The Saint Front cathedral and its Byzantine-inspired domes proudly dominating the capital of Périgord, is a monument to be seen at least once in your life!
Take advantage of your visit to try the local specialties in one of the many restaurants of Périgueux located in the historical center!
We had a lot of fun writing this article about this city and region that we know (almost) by heart. We would like to thank our families and friends who have given us valuable advice. We also update this article regularly since we come to the Dordogne several times a year.
Feel free to leave us a note below to let us know if you are planning this trip, ask any questions or share on social networks(our Instagram) we will answer you with great pleasure!
