Having done extensive research into the region, we were super excited to arrive in Sarlat and explore the medieval town and its surrounding sites, laden with historical significance. Originally developed around a prosperous Benedictine abbey prior to the 9th century, Sarlat enjoyed various degrees of popularity and economy over time. We are fortunate it was of no huge significance economically or strategically in recent centuries, otherwise it might not be the beautifully preserved and stunning medieval town we would soon discover it to be.

Upon arriving into Sarlat (and negotiating all of the one way roads circling the town centre where our B&B was based!), we snagged a parking spot close to our B&B and checked in. We had booked Les Cordeliers, a beautiful bed and breakfast situated overlooking the memorial square of the Petite Rigaudie. Complete with limestone walls and duck egg blue window shutters, the old manor house was as picturesque as it was luxurious.

Les Cordeliers (photo courtesy of their website)

We were met by the lovely British owner who showed us to our spacious room (Room 1) with a private, again very spacious ensuite, where we flopped in delight onto the luxury super-size king bed to plot out our next few days.

Our room at Les Cordeliers
(the second and third are from their website as I didn’t take extra pics)

The medieval towncentre of Sarlat is famous for being one of the best representations of what a 14th century town would have looked like, and as we strolled through the cobblestone streets that first night, we had to pinch ourselves that we were not on a movie set! (Coincidentally, Sarlat has actually been the setting for a number of Hollywood blockbusters, including Ever After with Drew Barrymore and Ridley Scott’s the Dualist.)

Stunning Sarlat

Dozens of cosy bistros were tucked down the endless alleys that wound back from the pedestrian cobblestone streets, and the scent of garlic was wafting everywhere… we were almost drooling by the time we finally decided to stop torturing ourselves and sit down for dinner.

Nearly all of the bistros offered a set menu, with an entrée, main and dessert (sometimes two mains!), and a glass of wine for a set price, and the prices seemed incredibly reasonable so we thought, why not?! And such was our habit for the next few nights!

Some of our dinners in Sarlat, usually feasting on duck …
and duck fat potatoes… mmmmm

One of Sarlat’s laneways

We had carefully planned our time in Sarlat to coincide with the Saturday markets where the freshest produce including cold meats, dozens of cheeses, dips and breads are all on display. Being a lover of all food, especially cheese and nibbles, we spent a good while gawking at the various stalls and taste testing the wares of the local farmers and artisans.

Sarlat Saturday Markets

We made a few purchases and jumped in our car for a self-driven tour of the immediate villages – the intention being to stop at one of them and enjoy a picnic from on high. Well, that was the intention, but due to the non-stop rain, our plans were slightly thwarted!

We had identified two villages in particular that were recommended for their beauty and historical significance – Beynac-et-Cazenac and Domme. Both are classified as one of the most ‘beautiful villages in France’ and are situated either on or overlooking the Dordogne river and were of strategic importance during the Hundred Year wars between the English and French, when the villages would regularly be French towns, then English, then French again depending who was the victor in the latest siege!

Due to the weather we didn’t get out and have a look around, but even through the rainy car windows you could see the beauty in the towns.

Rainy views from the car

What Domme looks like in the sunshine
(photo courtesy of dynamosquito on Flickr)

 We managed to park in Domme and we did enjoy a picnic, it just happened to be in our car in the carpark at the top of the town overlooking the river… we might not have had the sunniest day to enjoy the view, but the food was delicious and let’s face it, we can’t have perfect weather all the time!

Car picnic!

Back in Sarlat we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon chilling at the B&B and then once more exploring the town itself, it was just so quaint and pretty, it does not take long at all to feel perfectly at home!

Another beautiful street in Sarlat

One final word on our accommodation: for 95Euro a night, Les Cordeliers B&B was fantastic value, included a generous breakfast each morning, location was second to none and we both loved Sarlat and the Dordogne region immensely.

The breakfast buffet set up

I would find any excuse to go back to the area and spend a couple of weeks exploring all over again, I feel as if we saw so much (check out my other Dordogne posts here and here for some ideas!), but yet barely scratched the surface!