An hour from the Repaire — and an easy train ride from Bergerac station — Sarlat is the largest preserved medieval-Renaissance ensemble in Europe: 65 listed monuments, entirely pedestrian lanes, golden-stone mansions, and one of the most beautiful markets in France.
For a perfect day:
Morning — The Saturday market (year round) or Wednesday market (April to November) on Place de la Liberté, around the cathedral of Saint-Sacerdos. Truffles in season, foie gras, strawberries, honeys, cheeses — the best of everything the Périgord produces.
Must-sees:
- The Place du Marché aux Oies (with its three bronze geese)
- The 16th-century Hôtel de Maleville, a Renaissance showpiece
- The panoramic lift inside the church of Sainte-Marie (360° view over Sarlat’s rooftops)
- The 12th-century lanterne des morts, one of very few in France
Lunch: Le Bistrot de l’Octroi (traditional cooking with a twist, ~€30), La Bouteille d’Or (gastronomic, ~€50), or simply a truffle sandwich from the market.
Afternoon — Wander the quieter lanes away from the main drags (rue des Trois-Conils, rue d’Albusse), pause in a shaded café, then head for the gardens of Marqueyssac (25 min) or Beynac (20 min) to end the day.
Tip: avoid the middle of the day in July and August (very crowded). Mid-May, early June and September are perfect.
