A film set with probably the best market in France

This magnificently restored Gothic and Renaissance town is situated deep in the heart of the Périgord Noir in a basin surrounded by wooded hills. Sarlat, officially Sarlat-la-Canéda, has been the location for two Hollywood films, The Duelists and Timeline. However, it is much more than a film set. Sarlat is a busy small town with a Saturday market to die for which is arguably the best in France.

Place de la Liberté

Sarlat’s main square. the Place de la Liberté is a great place to relax, enjoy the surrounding architecture and people watch!

A town of two halves

The old town is divided in two by the rue de la République where you’ll find many of the shops. On both sides of the Traverse, as the locals call it, the old town houses, built using a golden hued limestone and roofed in lauzes or stone slabs, open onto ancient courtyards which take you back in time.

Behind the Cathedral can be found the rather spooky round tower with a conical roof. Associated with the visit of St Bernard in 1147, nobody knows what the Lanterne des Morts was for!

Markets

Don’t miss the aforementioned Saturday market but, if you do, there is one on Wednesdays which is almost as good!