Sarlat-la-Canéda is a city in Dordogne, Southwestern France. This city is famous for its historic centre constituting a leading medieval and Renaissance urban ensemble, which has earned it the classification of "city of art and history”. Visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, it is one of the “Most beautiful detours in France”.

Understand

Sarlat is the capital of Périgord Noir. Périgord is the historical area that consists mostly of the present-day département of Dordogne.

Get in

By train

Sarlat is the end of the train line that connects with Bordeaux in west.

By bus

TransPérigord connects Sarlat with Souillac and Périgueux.

Get around

The whole of Sarlat can be visited by foot, though there is a local bus that runs from Sarlat's northern and southern limits. There is a bike rental near the train station.

See

Place de la Liberté

• Weekly market in central square
• The Dordogne river is close by, from which you can view the amazing chateaux (castles) of Domme, Beynac-et-cazenac, Montfort and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, as well as the town of La Roque-Gageac, clinging to the rock face overlooking the river.

The town is full of architecture and art:

• The chateau of Loubejac
• The Hôtel de Gisso, place des Oies, 16th century, listed as a historical monument, open to the public as a museum on the theme: "Enter the Sarladaise bourgeoisie of the 17th century".
• Many mansions, including:
  • House of La Boétie, 16th century
  • Hotel de Genis
  • Hotel d'Anglars
  • Vienna Hotel
  • Saint Clar Hotel
  • Hotel Plamon
• The Executioner's Tower and partial remains of the old ramparts
• City Hall
• Presidial House
• Laundry at Roc Bayard
• Washhouse rue Fontaine de l'Amour
• The Sainte-Marie fountain, in the rue des Consuls, opposite the Hôtel Plamon (the back of the grotto is decorated with a statue of the Virgin Mary)
• The Gorodka Art Space
• The Château de Campagnac, 14th century and 16th century
• The three geese cast in bronze, a symbol of Périgord gastronomy, sit enthroned in the very centre of the medieval town of Sarlat. The statute was offered by the company Rougié (foie gras) to the city.

Religious buildings:

Saint-Sacerdos cathedral

• 1 The Saint-Sacerdos cathedral. 12th century to the 14th century, built in the middle of the first cemetery of Sarlat. (updated Jul 2022)
• 2 The Sainte-Marie church. Disused in 1794, converted into a covered market by the architect Jean Nouvel. Since 2012, the bell tower has also housed a panoramic elevator offering a view of the entire city. Open from April to December (and exceptional openings in winter). (updated Jul 2022)
• The church of the Récollets monastery (17th century) became the chapel of the White Penitents (19th century). The portal of the church is the only remaining ornament of the church. Since 1970, it has housed a museum of sacred art.
• The Saint-Benoît chapel or chapel of the Blue Penitents.

Buy

• Sarlat (and its surrounding areas) is well known for its foie gras and related products. There are many specialty shops in town. Fois gras d'oie is foie gras from geese.