Sarlat is the most famous town in the Dordogne, just 20 miles from where we are staying. After a lazy start, we are on holiday, we headed that way. Forgetting that Wednesday is market day and hitting traffic on the way in to town!
It was the most beautiful medieval town with stunning sandstone buildings. The old town is made up of a maze of narrow streets on either side of the Rue de la Republic. A picturesque tangle of buildings, alleyways and secret squares. In one such square we found this medieval wooded staircase:
Tonight we just have to let the pictures tell the story….
Market day – people and stalls everywhere:
With a bank holiday, VE Day and Ascension Day, on either side there were a lot of children about today…. We reckon that most folks have taken the week off! IF I had to manage annual leave, I would!! 😀
There were stalls selling all sorts of produce.
The Church of Sainte-Marie in the centre of Sarlat. Mixing contemporary elements with the 14th century architecture of the church the interior has now been converted, with much acclaim by local architect Jean Nouvel, into an elegant covered market.
The cathedral was originally the church of Sarlat Abbey. Over the centuries it has been added to and transformed and is now a mix of Roman, Gothic and other styles.
Opposite the cathedral on the Place du Peyrou is the splendid ‘Hôtel de La Boétie’, birthplace of the philosopher and humanist Etienne de La Boétie. His house has a large arched entrance and Renaissance style mullioned windows
One of the highlights of Sarlat are the number of very impressive mansions. Wandering along the street taking in all the different details of windows and doors and roofs is a pleasure.
A life size bronze statue of three geese stands in the centre of the beautiful Place du Marché Oies – The Goose Square – Live geese are still sold here during the Fest’ Oie which is in late February or early March when Sarlat’s top chefs prepare an outdoor banquet.
How pretty is this building, just look at the ducks above the canopy…..
We travelled back to Payrac through Gourdon, having seen the castle on our way passed yesterday. Gourdon’s wealth was built on the labour of its weavers and clothiers. The town is built round it’s medieval centre at the top of which is a table d’ Orientation, sitting high above the Eglise St’ Pierre. We just had to climb to the top to see the view. The good news wasn’t he journey back to the car was all downhill!!
H&P Adventures 