To visit Sarlat is to lose yourself in a well-preserved medieval centre: lanes of golden stone, stone-slab roofs, mansions and a market on Place de la Liberté. Sarlat-la-Canéda is also the best base for exploring Black Périgord: the castles of the Dordogne valley, hilltop villages and decorated caves. This guide explains what to do in Sarlat, how far the surrounding sites are, and which season to choose.
Sarlat was the first town to benefit from France’s Malraux law, with the creation of its protected heritage area in 1964. To help you plan your days, we calculated the straight-line distance between Sarlat and a dozen nearby sites: most of the big castles of the valley are less than 10 km (6 mi) away as the crow flies (Destination de Voyage calculation based on Wikipedia coordinates).
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Sarlat at a glance
- Department Dordogne, Black Périgord (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
- Train Sarlat station, end of the TER line from Bordeaux-Saint-Jean; coach from Souillac station (Intercités Paris-Toulouse line)
- Entry Schengen rules; US and UK citizens visa-free for up to 90 days
- Ideal length half a day for the town, 3 to 5 days to explore the area
- Best time May-June and September
- Specialities foie gras, truffles, walnuts, figs (Place de la Liberté market)
- Car almost essential for the castles and caves
Things to do in Sarlat: the old town
Place de la Liberté and the market
The heart of town, Place de la Liberté is lined with café terraces and hosts the market, where Périgord specialities are sold: foie gras, truffles, figs and walnuts. Market days, times and themed markets (truffles, foie gras in season) are published by the Sarlat Périgord Noir tourist office; check them before planning your stay, as the market completely changes the atmosphere of the town.
Saint-Sacerdos cathedral and the Bishops’ Palace
Just beyond the square stand Saint-Sacerdos cathedral and the Bishops’ Palace, reminders of Sarlat’s past as a bishopric for several centuries. The cathedral is the former abbey church; of the Romanesque abbey, the porch tower, the Saint-Benoît chapel and the façade of the chapter house survive.
The Lantern of the Dead
Behind the cathedral, in the monks’ former enclosure, stands the Lantern of the Dead (Lanterne des Morts), a conical Romanesque tower and one of Sarlat’s most photographed silhouettes. You reach it through the old cemetery, up a few steps.
The house of La Boétie and the mansions
Opposite the cathedral, the house of La Boétie, with its Renaissance façade, recalls the writer and friend of Montaigne who was born in Sarlat. The best-known mansions are the Hôtel du Barry, the Hôtel de Savignac and the Présidial. The best way to see them is to leave the shopping streets for the shady alleys and small squares, on foot.
In summer, the Festival des Jeux du Théâtre puts on a different play every evening for three weeks; in November, the town has hosted a film festival since 1991 (Wikipedia). Check the official programmes for exact dates.
Sainte-Marie church and its panoramic lift
No longer used for worship, the former church of Sainte-Marie now houses a covered market. According to the town hall’s website, a glass lift installed in the bell tower offers a panoramic view over the town; check times and prices with the town hall or the tourist office.
Around Sarlat: how far are the sites?
Black Périgord is best explored in a star pattern from Sarlat. The table below gives the straight-line distance between central Sarlat and each site: the road distance is always longer, especially in the winding valleys.
| Site | Interest | Straight-line distance from Sarlat |
|---|---|---|
| La Roque-Gageac | Village built against the cliff, on the river | about 8 km (5 mi) |
| Beynac-et-Cazenac | Fortified castle and village above the Dordogne | about 8 km (5 mi) |
| Domme | Hilltop bastide above the Dordogne | about 10 km (6 mi) |
| Château de Castelnaud | Fortified castle opposite Beynac | about 10 km (6 mi) |
| Montignac-Lascaux | Lascaux cave (Lascaux IV replica) | about 20 km (12 mi) |
| Rocamadour | Pilgrimage town clinging to a cliff (Lot) | about 33 km (21 mi) |
| Collonges-la-Rouge | Red sandstone village (Corrèze) | about 39 km (24 mi) |
| Gouffre de Padirac | Chasm and underground river (Lot) | about 42 km (26 mi) |
| Saint-Cirq-Lapopie | Village perched above the Lot | about 60 km (37 mi) |
How to read it: Domme, La Roque-Gageac, Beynac and Castelnaud form a compact group less than 10 km (6 mi) away, ideal for a « Dordogne valley » day. Lascaux, to the north, and the Rocamadour-Padirac pair, to the east, each need a day. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, about 60 km (37 mi) away, fits better into a stay in the Lot.
Itinerary: Sarlat and Black Périgord in 3 or 5 days
- Day 1: Sarlat, ideally on a market day; the Lantern of the Dead and the alleys late in the day.
- Day 2: the Dordogne valley: La Roque-Gageac, Domme, then Castelnaud and Beynac.
- Day 3: Lascaux and the Vézère valley (booking advised in summer).
- Day 4: the Gouffre de Padirac in the morning, Rocamadour in the afternoon.
- Day 5: Collonges-la-Rouge or a day canoeing on the Dordogne.
For an overview of the region, read our Dordogne guide.
When to go to Sarlat
There is no published Météo-France climate data sheet for Sarlat; the nearest reference station is Gourdon, in the Lot, about 22 km (14 mi) away as the crow flies. May, June and September are the best months: 21.5 °C (71 °F) in the afternoon in May, 25.2 °C (77 °F) in June, 23.7 °C (75 °F) in September. July and August are the hottest (27.6 and 27.8 °C, 82 °F) and have the fewest rainy days. Winter is cool and damp: around ten frost days a month in December-January, and more than 10 rainy days a month.
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Rainy days | Sun per day | Sun vs Paris | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.0 (48) | 2.0 (36) | 64.7 (2.5) | 10.7 | 3.0 h | +1.1 h | ⚠️ Cold, damp |
| February | 10.8 (51) | 1.7 (35) | 50.8 (2.0) | 9.1 | 4.3 h | +1.3 h | ⚠️ Cold, frequent frost |
| March | 14.8 (59) | 4.2 (40) | 61.0 (2.4) | 10.2 | 5.5 h | +1.1 h | ⚠️ Cool |
| April | 17.7 (64) | 6.4 (44) | 82.6 (3.3) | 11.2 | 6.0 h | +0.1 h | ✅ Mild, changeable spring |
| May | 21.5 (71) | 9.6 (49) | 82.2 (3.2) | 11.1 | 6.9 h | +0.4 h | ✅ Ideal, green |
| June | 25.2 (77) | 12.8 (55) | 76.2 (3.0) | 8.7 | 8.1 h | +1.3 h | ✅ Long sunshine, ideal |
| July | 27.6 (82) | 14.5 (58) | 54.7 (2.2) | 6.7 | 8.5 h | +1.4 h | ⚠️ Hot, ~10 days ≥ 30 °C (86 °F) |
| August | 27.8 (82) | 14.5 (58) | 63.2 (2.5) | 7.7 | 8.1 h | +1.2 h | ⚠️ Hot, ~10 days ≥ 30 °C (86 °F) |
| September | 23.7 (75) | 11.4 (53) | 73.7 (2.9) | 8.9 | 7.0 h | +1.1 h | ✅ Ideal, still mild |
| October | 18.9 (66) | 9.3 (49) | 70.5 (2.8) | 10.0 | 4.8 h | +1.0 h | ✅ Mild, autumn colours |
| November | 12.6 (55) | 5.0 (41) | 76.2 (3.0) | 11.4 | 3.2 h | +0.8 h | ⚠️ Wet, film festival |
| December | 9.5 (49) | 2.6 (37) | 67.2 (2.6) | 11.0 | 2.9 h | +1.1 h | ⚠️ Cool, damp |
How many rainy days on a 3-day stay?
| Season | Rainy days expected over 3 days |
|---|---|
| Winter (December-February) | 1.0 |
| Spring (March-May) | 1.1 |
| Summer (June-August) | 0.8 |
| Autumn (September-November) | 1.0 |
In summer, expect less than one rainy day on a three-day stay; in spring and autumn, about one. Keep Lascaux or Padirac (underground) for the most uncertain day.
Where to stay in Sarlat
| Area | Best for | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Medieval town | Without a car, short stay | Everything on foot; parking is harder |
| Just outside the centre | Staying with a car | Easier parking, centre on foot |
| Dordogne valley (La Roque-Gageac, Beynac, Domme) | Castles and canoeing | Riverside setting; a car is essential |
| Gîtes and B&Bs in the countryside | Families, longer stays | Peace and quiet, pools; allow for driving time |
Getting there and getting around
- By train: TER line between Bordeaux-Saint-Jean and Sarlat station; alternatively, Intercités Paris-Toulouse to Souillac, then a coach (Wikipedia).
- By air: the nearest regional airports are Bergerac and Brive; Bordeaux-Mérignac is the largest in the area.
- By car: essential for exploring; in Sarlat, use the car parks on the outskirts, as the medieval town is visited on foot. US and UK licence holders should read the driving sections of travel.state.gov and GOV.UK.
- By canoe: several outfits offer trips down the Dordogne below the castles; the season and conditions depend on the outfit and the river level.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: France is in the Schengen area, which you may enter for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Immigration officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket, and France does not recognise the 12-page US emergency passport for visa-free entry (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) may require fingerprints and a photo at your first entry (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- ID: you must be able to prove your identity when asked by the police, or within 4 hours at a police station (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- Health and emergencies: UK travellers need a GHIC or a valid EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, which is not a substitute for travel insurance; the European emergency number is 112 (GOV.UK).
- Wildfires: they can occur across France in summer, with a higher risk in parts of the south-west in hot, dry weather (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
Practical tips for Sarlat
- The market: check days and times with the tourist office or the town hall.
- Caves: online booking is available for Lascaux IV and Padirac, see their websites; they are cool all year round, so bring a sweater.
- Heat: in July-August, visit the castles in the morning.
- Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz, type E sockets; US plugs need an adapter (france.fr, checked 26 October 2026).
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need to visit Sarlat?
Half a day is enough for the medieval town; a full day on a market day. For Black Périgord around it, allow 3 to 5 days.
What is the best time to visit Sarlat?
May, June and September, with 21.5 to 25.2 °C (71 to 77 °F) in the afternoon according to Météo-France’s 1991-2020 normals for Gourdon, the nearest station.
Which sites can you visit around Sarlat?
Domme, La Roque-Gageac, Beynac and Castelnaud (all less than 10 km, 6 mi, as the crow flies), Lascaux about 20 km (12 mi) away, Rocamadour about 33 km (21 mi) and Padirac about 42 km (26 mi).
Can you get to Sarlat by train?
Yes: Sarlat is the terminus of a TER line from Bordeaux-Saint-Jean. You can also take the Intercités to Souillac and then a coach.
Is Sarlat in the Dordogne or the Lot?
Sarlat-la-Canéda is in the Dordogne, in Black Périgord. Rocamadour and Padirac, often visited on the same trip, are in the neighbouring Lot.
Our sources
- Météo-France: climate data sheet, 1991-2020 statistics, Gourdon station (Lot, 260 m); Paris-Montsouris station for the comparison (data sheets consulted on 23 October 2026)
- Destination de Voyage calculation: straight-line distances (Wikipedia coordinates), rainy days expected over 3 days, sun per day vs Paris
- Town of Sarlat (sarlat.fr: Sainte-Marie church, panoramic lift) and Sarlat Périgord Noir tourist office (sarlat-tourisme.com), consulted on 23 October 2026
- Wikipedia: « Sarlat-la-Canéda » (heritage, protected area, access, festivals), consulted on 23 October 2026
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, France country information (last updated August 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for France (updated 22 October 2026)
- France tourism board (france.fr), electricity requirements, checked 26 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To go further, see our Dordogne guide, our weekend break ideas and our other destinations in France.
