Divided in two by the rue de la République, known as the “traverse”, Sarlat consists of two distinct quarters, one of which was more aristocratic in nature than the other. This town so typical of the Périgord is renowned for its architecture, with fi..

Leave Sarlat heading southwest towards Beynac-et-Cazenac . Beynac, listed as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”, boasts a charming location with a castle perched on the cliff above the village. Further east, on the left bank of the r..

Cliffs, prehistoric caves, and castles overlooking the valleys of the Dordogne and the Vézère : this is the essence of Périgord. The countryside is dotted with tile-roofed farmhouses, little Romanesque churches, leafy forests that are full of mush..

This town house takes its name from the Selves de Plamon, a family of drapers. The main architectural periods of Sarlat are evident in the windows of each floor. The ground floor is typical of the 14C, with its large pointed arches; the windows on th..

Surrounded by turrets, pinnacles and corner staircases, this square hosts a market specialising in goose products from December to March. In reference to this mainstay of the region’s culinary heritage, the square is adorned with a charming sculpture..

Separated from the eastern district by the rue de la République, known as the “Traverse”, the western district is quiet and peaceful with narrow, winding alleyways. The district is in the process of being restored.

This building belonged to Jean de Vienne (Henri IV’s Superintendent of Finances) in the 16C and was known as the Hôtel de Vienne. Now home to the tourist office, the building actually comprises three adjoining houses with an interesting mix of archit..

Built in 1525 in Italian Renaissance style, this mansion was the birthplace of Étienne de La Boétie (b 1530), a good friend of the French writer Montaigne. The fine façade is adorned with large mullion windows framed by pilasters carved with medallio..

Overlooking the Place du Marché des Trois Oies, this 15C town house boasts twin corbelled turrets. The nearby Hôtel de Gisson (16C) consists of two buildings linked to one another by a hexagonal staircase tower, the roof of which is tiled with lauze,..

Once part of the 17C monastery of the Recollets, this chapel housed the Order of the White Penitents from the 19C. Its Baroque doorway is of particular interest.

This charming road is lined with attractive old houses. Nearby, rue La Boétie is home to the Couvent Ste-Claire which dates from the 17C. The town’s theatre festival takes place in the garden of this building every summer.

Sit in the shade at one of the outdoor cafés which grace this square and admire the 17C town hall and the former St Mary’s church .

This architecturally impressive town house is built of honey-coloured limestone like so many of the buildings in Sarlat. Its half-timbered façade has a tower and a distinctive Flamboyant Gothic-style doorway. In rue Landry, note the 17C Présidial to..

The 12C church which stood on this site was destroyed in 1504 by Bishop Armand de Gontaut-Biron to make way for a new cathedral, which was never completely finished. Various periods of construction are visible in the present church (16C-17C), which b..

Now converted into a theatre, this old bishop’s palace (ancien évêché) boasts an interesting façade. The building demonstrates three different architectural styles, with Gothic windows on the first floor, Renaissance windows on the second and third f..

Now incorporated in the buildings which surround it at the end of rue Rousset, this high watchtower (tour de guet) is crowned by machicolations dating from the 15C and is flanked by a corbelled turret.

This cylindrical monument dating from the 12C is also known as the Tour St-Bernard or St Bernard’s tower, in honour of this saint who visited Sarlat and was said to have blessed bread which miraculously cured the sick. The building houses two rooms, ..

The Tour du Bourreau (Executioner’s Tower), also known as the Tour Neuve (New Tower), dates from the late 16C and is one of only two towers to survive from the old town walls, which comprised 18 towers until 1850.