Sarlat, the pearl of the Périgord Noir
Sarlat, the full name Sarlat-la-Canéda, is the capital of the Périgord Noir, the most beautiful and well-known part of the Dordogne. The city was founded around the 9th century around a monastery. The Sarlat as we know it today was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. The city lies in a valley between the rivers Dordogne and Vézère. In recent decades the city has been completely restored. At this time, Sarlat together with Carcassonne, is one of the finest examples of architectural styles in the early and late Middle Ages. Sarlat has the highest density of historical monuments per km2 in Europe! So, if you visit the Dordogne, you may not miss Sarlat!
When is the best time to visit Sarlat?
Sarlat in the winter just has over 10,000 residents and would be regarded as a large village. The town, however, covers a huge area and contains many large stores. The inhabitants of the villages in the periphery do their shopping in Sarlat. In the late spring, summer and early autumn, Sarlat swells into a tourist bastion. For vacationers, who love crowds, this is nice. The streets, terraces and squares are overcrowded. The culture lover would do better to bypass the city and visit in April, May, late September or October, when it is more quiet. The city is very popular amongst Americans, Australians, Canadians and visitors from the UK, for who Sarlat and Domme are synonymous with Dordogne.
The Old Town
The medieval borough is characterized by the old roofs of Lauze (sort of slate roof tiles), the beautiful golden facades, made of sandstone from Les Eyzies, the narrow alleys and lively squares. There are marked walks along the ramparts and through the alleys. Just outside the walls there are several large parking lots. Try to arrive not too late, otherwise the parkings are full, and try to leave early, otherwise you find yourself in a traffic jam of several minutes. The service on the terraces in the peak season is a bit sloppy. Sarlat is a mecca for street musicians and artists. There are some very professional acts at each corner or square. There is a permanent market in Sarlat. On Saturday morning (till 13 hrs) the market is much bigger and you can buy local produce. A visit to market will last at least two hours! In late July and early August there are theater and music festivals and cultural events in the open air or at the Cultural Center.
The sights
The entire town is a monument in itself. Cathedrale St-Sacerdos, the beautiful cathedral and on the hill behind the cathedral the famous Lanterne des Morts, a tower with a chapel for the death. When the plague or other contagious diseases prevailed in the Middle Ages, they kindled the Lanterne des Morts, or the lantern of death, to warn. There are many museums, including a car museum and a museum with aquariums. In the center around the Place de la Liberté, there are many houses with beautiful facades, which you can visit.
