8 Reasons Why I Fell For Sarlat, France
One of the biggest reasons to visit Sarlat, France is that it will steal your heart.
There’s something about this little medieval town in the Dordogne region of France that takes hold of you and makes you want to linger there awhile.
The town dates back to the 9th century with the founding of a Benedictine Abbey. Many of the fabulous stone houses were built in medieval times when the town grew richer as an important market town. While it suffered during the Hundred Years War, it’s been beautifully restored and is now on the on a tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage classification. If you’re checking Google, the town is twinned with its neighbour and is often called Sarlat-le-Caneda.
There’s a lot of history here, but it’s the ambiance created by the narrow alleyways and the honey-coloured buildings that captured my heart.
Here are just some of the reasons why I fell for Sarlat.
Reasons to Visit Sarlat, France: The Main Square
Market day in Sarlat is Saturday and Wednesday and the main square fills with local vendors with delicious offerings. It’s not just a tourist thing – this is where residents do their shopping. If you’re visiting on market days, enjoy this gourmet and market tour with tastings of the local specialties. You’ll be in foodie heaven.
The square is also lined with outdoor cafes, a splendid place to enjoy some local wine and people-watching.
The Architecture
Sarlat is built out of a soft-focus, distinctly hued limestone that changes colour beautifully in the light.
The old homes of the nobility and other buildings are a mix of both Renaissance and Gothic styles, where you’ll discover new details or gargoyles every time you look.
And there’s a gherkin, perhaps a precursor to the famed British building. This unusual structure actually has more serious beginnings. It’s called ‘La Lanterne des morts’ or ‘Lantern of the Dead’. Beside the cathedral, the building has had various roles over time including a funeral chapel.
Outdoor Cafes
As you wander the narrow alleyways, you’ll find the cutest and tiniest cafes tucked into nooks and hugging the stone buildings. Some of them are in hidden-away spots and are a delight to discover. See what I mean about a place to linger?
The Food
You’ll notice a recurring motif dedicated to geese as you wander the streets. This statue, on the “Square of the Geese” puts the region’s favourite food, foie gras, on a pedestal. Sarlat is a gourmet centre, particularly known for foie gras, truffles, fresh produce, cheese and wine.
Lamp light
There are no flashy neon and electric lights in the old part of the city. That just wouldn’t be right. In Sarlat, when the sun goes down, the town lights up by gas lamps casting a warm glow.
The Romance
Narrow laneways, hidden cafes, lamp light….what can you say? Impossibly romantic.
Les Suites Sarladaises
Photo courtesy of Les Suites Sarladaises
With so many gorgeous mansions, you should take the chance to experience what life was like behind those gorgeous facades.
I stayed at Les Suites Sarladaises, housed in the ancient Hôtel de Leydis, a medieval building stylishly refurbished in the 17th century as the home of local magistrates. More recently, every detail of the building has been lovingly restored and elegantly decorated by its current owners.
The result is a stay, with modern comforts, in authentic rooms with beamed ceilings, rococo plaster work, 17th and 18th century woodwork, wavy antique window panes, and worn stone – some dating from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Here, the charm of Sarlat will deepen its grip on you. (See my post on Les Suites.).
Check pricing and availability at Les Suites Sarladaises in Sarlat.
Getting Lost
With the tangle of narrow streets in Sarlat, you will get lost. But not for long. Enjoy it – – it’s all part of the experience in this pretty, not-to-be missed town.
More Information:
Tourism Information: Dordogne Périgord Tourism , Sarlat Tourism
Accommodation: Check pricing and availability at Les Suites Sarladaises
Gourmet & market tour: Book the Gourmet & Market tour, with tastings here.
Avoid data roaming fees: I use an aloSIM eSIM (a digital SIM card) to stay connected when I travel. Get 5% off your first order with the promo code: TRAVELBLISSNOW.
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An area of France I’ve always wanted to visit. How easy is it to get around using transit or is a car a must?
It’s possible to get around on transit, but I would say that renting a car is strongly recommended–too many gems you can’t get to without it.
There is a train station in town, so you can get there without a car. There is canoe rental place that will pick you up from town if you want to paddle the gentle Dordogne. There is bicycle rental in town with a green line to cycle that is a paved repurposed rail bed that goes to the river and along it for a while. So, you can go several days without a car. If you decide you need one, there is a car rental agency in town. You will certainly want one to see the surrounding chateaux, gardens, and cave paintings.
Thanks so much Mark – – this is really helpful. As you say, you don’t need a car while you’re in town or to get there. But it is helpful for seeing the area, although I have some friends who did it all by cycling.
Sarlat looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale–incredible. I love the idea of sitting in a street cafe in a such a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing such lovely images as well.
Thanks so much Heather. It really is the stuff of fairy tales!
We stayed at Les Suites Salardaises too recently and the room, building and location were fabulous. Loved Sarlat and there is so much to see and do nearby, including the amazing Lascaux cave art.
Thanks Marc! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I agree that there is a lot to do nearby. I would love to go back!
You need to see Sarlat in September when they light the town up with candles, really quite spectacular!!
Oh wow, I would absolutely love that! Thank you!!
Amazing…….now I have to go! Thanks for such an inspiring read 💕
Thanks Wendy! I hope you get a chance to go.