Visit to Dordogne

Bergerac - Castelnaud - Marqueyssac - La Roque Gageac - Domme - Sarlat - Beynac - Belves - Monpazier - Biron

In a few words, Sarlat is a medieval and Renaissance treasure, a village that preserves its old soul. It has the biggest number of historical buildings per area across Europe . The facades stone shows a warm colour that is a present for the sight and welcomes the visitors. The well-known Henry Miller wrote that Sarlat was the "paradise of the French".

During the 8th century Sarlat acquired the status of city when a Benedictine monastery settled here. In 1298 the city swore fidelity to the king of France and left the abbot control. It got the right to choose its governors. In 1317 Sarlat was ascended to a bishop city and the abbey church became the cathedral of Saint Sacerdos. Since then an architectonic flourish began, and the church of Saint Mary as well as many houses and public buildings were erected.

During the One Hundred Years war Sarlat resisted all the sieges but finally it became English by the Bretigny treaty (1360), in which Edward III of England received the south-western France in change for the renounce to the French throne. Ten years later the English were expelled from the city. A century later the Religion wars caused an important destruction.

Sarlat was prosper during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, but afterwards it was isolated from the modern tendencies, which has permitted the conservation of its incredible intact aspect.
The Saint Sacerdos cathedral was a Romanesque church from the 12th century that during the 14th century became a cathedral. It has been restored and reconstructed in several times (15th, 16th and 17th centuries). The backside is beautiful and brings you to the old cemetery.

In the cemetery it is the odd Saint Bernard tower , known as the "deads lantern". It commemorates that in 1147 Saint Bernard de Claraval passed through Sarlat when returning from a Crusade and he made, according to the legend, a collective healing with some breads.

We continued to the authentic and marvellous streets Lovely tower houses from 15th to 17th centuries flank these pedestrian, cobbles, and clean streets with pinnacles adorning the facades. The roofs are unique, made o lauzes (slates especially used in southern France ).

We also found the church of Saint Mary , in Gothic style and which was sold. Because of this, there are only some stretches remaining, but it is still very imposing. Inside it is held the Covered market.
The place is full of terraces crowded with relaxed tourists having a cup or dinner.

The walk (very well indicated in the tourist office map) follows near the walls and gets into disordered narrow streets and passages, some with no end, others that cross arcades or end in small and cosy squares. There are several entrance gates to the old city and they still remain two towers of the 18 originals.
We returned to the cathedral gate, and nearby there is a charming square called Peyrou , where we found the pretty house of Etienne de la Boetie, in Italian Renaissance style (16th century) and with a slender sculpted facade.

A relaxing walk in a wonderful atmosphere follows the historical visit, as it is a very lively centre. There are many sort of hidden restaurants in every corner, souvenirs shops and shops crammed with gastronomic products: foie gras, walnuts, truffles, liquors, etc. This was the most cheerful village in the afternoon and above all in the evening, so Sarlat invites powerfully to stay a little more and to have dinner.
I would recommend one day in this compelling place.