Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dream Destination in Dordogne
Southwest France contains new wonders you might not know about. One of these is the idyllic town of Sarlat-la-Canéda (or just Sarlat), one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and France.
In my previous post on the region of Dordogne, you’ll get an overview of this magical region, containing four sub-regions, each with its own theme. Though it’s one of the larger departments (an administrative designation, like a county) in France, it is not the most populous area. Yet certain discerning tourists have discovered this storybook corner of France and its popularity is growing.
The region is known as either Dordogne or Périgord. Périgord is the older, historical name, but its official name is Dordogne. These names refer to the same area. Check the post on Dordogne to learn about each of the four areas and what they are known for.
In the eastern section known as Périgord Noir (Noir means black or dark, referring to the forests that cover the region), you find its capital, Sarlat-la-Canéda. The name stems from the combination of two towns, Sarlat and la-Canéda. Dordogne is located due east of Bordeaux. This area, especially Sarlat, is known for foie gras, black truffles, duck confit, and wine. Sarlat is a frequent choice for film locations, too! One reason is the high number of historic buildings in the town.
Maison de la Boétie (former residence of lawyer and philosopher Etienne de la Boétie), a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture with ornate detailing around the windows and roofline. You’ll see many half-timbered homes made of brick and limestone, built to withstand the centuries…which they did! The narrow streets are lined with residential dwellings, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés. Many are quiet and calm, inviting a peaceful stroll among the yellowish limestone buildings.
One of the most remarkable features of the town is a covered market that blends historic and modern. Jean Nouvel, one of France’s most famous architects, is credited with many impressive projects around the country. Nouvel, a Sarlat native, was commissioned to transform the Gothic Cathedral, Eglise Sainte Marie, into a covered market space. He did this in 1993, blending historic elements of the cathedral and more modern aspects, such as huge steel doors and a reimagined Rosetta window. You may have visited covered markets around France, but you’ve probably seen nothing like this!
Here you can admire vaulted ceilings and majestic arches while you buy fresh produce, regional products (like jars of foie gras or duck confit!), and much more. Before you leave the building, you can take a glass elevator up a tower for a view of the town. A guide provides you with information on the town during your 10-minute reserved time slot.
Sarlat doesn’t lack traditional outdoor markets, either. Grab your tote bag and head to one of these on Wednesday or Saturday to fill up on local fresh produce and other goodies. (Tip: The Saturday market is longer and offers many categories of goods aside from food!)
Nearby Castles
Nearby castles: Château de Beynac a short drive from the town. You may recognize it from a few movies filmed there.
Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle perches in a lush area near the river. Both castles are open for visits.
Regional Food and… Geese
For a memorable lunch in town, head to the Place de la Liberté for a stunning variety of restaurants. Enjoy regional cuisine or traditional French meals and snacks. Then, in both the main areas and down the narrow alleys, you’ll find treasures of restaurants and specialty shops tucked away and offering gifts from the region.
All around the town, you’ll see bronze statues to decorate and enhance the already picturesque town. You’ll see one with three geese, which symbolizes foie gras production, a historic trade in Sarlat. To underscore this, you’ll notice goose designs on many products, in store windows, and all over the town!
To Continue Your Journey in the Region
Here’s a road-tripping idea: As long as you’re in southwestern France, combine your visit to Sarlat with a visit to Bérgerac (yes, Cyrano and all that…) in Périgord Pourpre, the wine country of the region. That will take you one hour 20 minutes by car. After that you can go up to Périgeux, 48 minutes drive north of Bergerac.
Or you can head southeast from Sarlat for one hour and visit the amazing village of Rocamadour. You’ll have a stunning variety of picturesque towns to see along the way, whichever direction you go!
Related Posts
More Adventures in Southwest France: The Pyrenees Region
Adventures on the France-Spain Border
