5 Cool Things to Do in Sarlat-la-Canéda
Sarlat feels like a medieval time warp. Golden stone streets twist through centuries-old buildings, secret courtyards, and market squares packed with flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Every corner hides something unexpected.
1. Walk Through a Living Medieval Town
Sarlat’s historic center is one of the best-preserved in France. Wander through the medieval streets, lined with golden stone buildings, timber-framed houses, and bustling squares. The Place de la Liberté is a great starting point, surrounded by cafés and markets.
The Lanterne des Morts, a strange tower with an unknown past, stands near Saint-Sacerdos Cathedral. Some say it was a burial light, others think it held relics, but no one knows for sure.
2. Get Lost in the Sarlat Market
The streets explode with color and scent on market days. Vendors pile tables high with truffles, foie gras, duck confit, Rocamadour cheese, and walnut tarts.
The covered market inside Sainte-Marie Church is a must-see. Architect Jean Nouvel redesigned the entrance, replacing the old doors with a massive steel gate that swings open like a vault.
3. Ride the Elevator to Sarlat’s Best View
Inside Sainte-Marie Church, a glass elevator takes visitors high above the rooftops for an unbeatable view. The town spreads out in a patchwork of golden stone and terracotta tiles, surrounded by rolling green hills.
Sunrise or sunset makes it even better, when the whole town glows under the shifting light.
4. Find the Forgotten Garden Behind the Cathedral
Behind Saint-Sacerdos Cathedral, a quiet medieval burial ground sits unnoticed by most visitors. The Jardin des Enfeus holds ancient stone tombs built into the walls, their carvings worn by time.
Some graves date back centuries, yet no one knows exactly who was buried here. Moss creeps over the slabs, and the silence feels almost eerie.
5. Explore Castles and Clifftop Villages in the Dordogne Valley
Sarlat sits near some of the most spectacular sights in the Dordogne. Beynac Castle, perched on a cliff, looks straight out of a medieval battle scene. La Roque-Gageac, a riverside village built against towering limestone cliffs, was once a fortified hideout.
A short drive leads to the Lascaux Caves, where prehistoric paintings date back 17,000 years.
***
Cover photo: Jean-Christophe BENOIST (CC BY 3.0)