Top destinations in Sarlat
Sarlat, France is a fabulous historical place. What can you see in Sarlat and Dordogne area? La Roque Saint-Christophe, Peyzac-le-Moustier : These long terraces in the cliffs on the south bank of the Vezere provided a home for humans from 57,000 years ago until the 16th century. The site stands 80 metres above ground and stretches out for almost a kilometre. The earliest troglodytes merely dwelled in the natural cavities cut by the river, but over time human hands started to modify the spaces, boring into the soft limestone. This activity gathered pace from the 5th century onwards when the caves became a fortified shelter during conflict such as Viking raids and events during the Hundred Years’ War. Reconstructions show how people survived here, and how supplies were hoisted up to the caves with a pulley system in medieval times.
House-hunters to Sarlat should stroll along Rue des Consuls, which has a number of impressive mansion houses that are testament to Sarlat’s growth during the Middle Ages. From being a small community controlled by the church, it had, by the mid-1500s, evolved into a prosperous market town popular with wealthy merchants. Further on you’ll see elegant buildings including the 16th-century Hotel de Mirandol with its imposing doorway; the 14th-century Hotel Plamon with its mullion windows; and the 15th-century Hotel de Vassal with its double turret.
Vintage gas lamps cast a golden glow on the medieval streets of Sarlat-la-Caneda after dark, creating a mellowness that’s absent by day. From the cathedral on place du Peyrou, follow rue de la Liberte to the gracious central square, place de la Liberte, framed with elegant mansions, the town hall and cafe terraces. Sarlat’s gracious central square is framed with elegant mansions, the town hall and cafe terraces. The food market, famously at home in the Gothic church of Sainte Marie, bursts into action every morning at 8.30am on place de la Liberte’s northern end. Ride the lift inside for a round-the-clock panorama of ginger-red rooftops and countryside beyond. It is an extraordinary tale. Teenage boys stumbled upon this monumental work of prehistoric rock art (lascaux.culture.fr), buried in the Vezere Valley, while out with their dog in 1940. Eight years later the cave opened to visitors. By 1960 up to 2,000 people a day were pouring in as the first deadly stains of green algae appeared on its walls. Three years later the original was shut. Lascaux II, the replica, opened in 1983 – and it astonishes me how powerful a copy can be. Visits by guided tour – it’s chilly, bring a jumper – take in the two galleries faithfully mirroring the prehistoric menagerie blazed across the rock by man 17,000 years ago.
Searching for Sarlat hotel booking? The place de la Liberte is the epicenter of the town, which is also where the weekly farmer’s market is held and where the many regional specialties are offered for sale: black truffles, the world famous “foie gras” (duck liver pate), figs, nuts and more. Many movies and television series have been filmed in Sarlat as the town features one of the most pristine medieval architectural heritage in the world. Expatriates from around the world flock to this medieval jewel of a city, in the search of sunlight, culture, food and overall lifestyle. The proximity of the Dordogne River, along with its many outdoor activities (canoeing, rafting, fishing, biking, hiking, etc) is a huge draw for people of all ages and from all walks of life. You’ll therefore routinely hear English, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, German and of course French, spoken in the streets of Sarlat as well as in the surrounding towns and villages of Carsac, Cenac, La Roque Gageac, Beynac, etc. Read extra details on https://sarlathotel.com/.