Two days in Sarlat
Two days is the weekend format: enough to see the old town without rushing, do the market, step inside a monument and push half a day out to the Dordogne valley.
The plan below assumes you are staying in the centre. That is what lets you leave the car untouched on day one and head out in the evening without a second thought.
The two-day plan
Day 1 — morning
The heart of the old town
Start at the place de la Liberte, then drift towards Saint-Sacerdos cathedral and the jardin des Enfeus just behind it. If it is a Saturday, the market already fills the square: this is the moment to buy lunch.
SarlatThe old town
Cobbled lanes, honey-coloured stone façades, Renaissance mansions: the historic centre is best explored on foot, wandering through its hidden passageways.
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SarlatSarlat market
Every Saturday morning the town becomes a market: foie gras, goat's cheese, walnuts, wild mushrooms and truffles in season.
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SarlatThe Cathedral & the Lantern of the Dead
Tucked down a side street, Saint-Sacerdos Cathedral and its striking cylindrical tower tell eight centuries of history.
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SarlatJardin des Enfeus
Behind the cathedral, this former burial ground carved into the rock houses medieval tombs in a peaceful, surprising setting.
View on Google MapsDay 1 — afternoon
Lanes, townhouses and a viewpoint
Walk up the rue des Consuls, the finest street in town, then cross to the other side of the Traverse to discover the much quieter western half. Finish with the panoramic lift, which puts the whole loop into perspective.SarlatRue des Consuls
Sarlat's finest street, lined with Renaissance mansions such as the Hôtel Plamon, a testament to the town's merchant wealth.
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SarlatHôtel de Maleville
On Place de la Liberté, this Renaissance mansion combines three former houses behind a single turreted façade.
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SarlatPlace des Oies (Goose Square)
A charming cobbled square marked by a statue of geese, a nod to the region's foie gras tradition and the setting for the Saturday farmers' market.
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SarlatManoir de Gisson
This 15th-century manor house, furnished in period style, is open to visitors and offers one of the finest views over Sarlat's rooftops from its tower.
View on Google MapsDay 1 — evening
Sarlat after dark
Dinner in the centre, then the evening loop. The very soft night lighting alone justifies sleeping in town rather than on the outskirts.Day 2 — morning
Out to the Dordogne valley
Half a day is enough for a taste of the valley: one perched village and one castle, no more. The panoramas from the heights give you the measure of the landscape straight away.
La Roque-GageacLa Roque-Gageac
One of the most beautiful villages in France, clinging to the cliffside on the banks of the Dordogne. Explore on foot or aboard a traditional gabare boat.
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DommeDomme, the clifftop village
Listed among the most beautiful villages in France, Domme offers one of the finest panoramas over the valley.
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Beynac / CastelnaudBeynac and Castelnaud castles
Medieval fortresses that once faced off against each other during the Hundred Years' War, perched high above the valley.
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Your choice: gardens, river or back to town
Depending on the season and your mood: the hanging gardens for the view, a canoe descent to see the cliffs from the water, or an easy return to Sarlat for the shops and terraces.
VézacGardens of Marqueyssac
Century-old boxwood trimmed along the clifftop and shaded paths, with one of the finest viewpoints over the valley.
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Vallée de la DordogneCanoeing on the Dordogne
A canoe trip between cliffs, castles and villages, one of the most beautiful ways to discover the valley.
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Frequently asked questions
Are two days enough for Sarlat?
For the town itself, comfortably. Two days even allow half a day in the Dordogne valley. It is too short, however, to take on the prehistory of the Vezere valley.
What is the best day to arrive?
Friday evening, so that the Saturday morning market falls on your first full day and the arrival evening stays free.
Read next
- Visiting Sarlat, in the heart of the Perigord NoirWhat to see in Sarlat-la-Caneda: the cathedral, rue des Consuls, place des Oies, Manoir de Gisson. A guide to exploring the old town on foot.
- What to do in Sarlat during your stayHeritage, the Saturday market, food, walks and evenings out: the best things to do in Sarlat-la-Caneda depending on how long you stay.
- Three days in the Perigord Noir from SarlatA three-day Perigord Noir itinerary from Sarlat: the old town, the Dordogne valley and its castles, then prehistory in the Vezere valley.
- What to do around SarlatDordogne castles, perched villages, gardens, prehistoric caves and canoeing: everything to do around Sarlat, all within an hour's drive.
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