The architectural minutiae of Sarlat is unending. Goose Square (place du Marché aux Oies) is a pleasing mélange of turrets, pinnacles and corner staircases, and the place where the traditional Saturday morning market was held. Today, bronze geese mark the spot: you can’t miss them.
This process of wandering, almost serendipitously, and taking time to look around, is a hallmark of the Périgord and an effective way of discovering that it is like entering the pages of a history book – it isn't all about foie gras and wine... or Sweet Georgie Brown.
Brief encounters
Easily accessible from Sarlat is Beynac, one of the most beautiful villages in France, dominated by its chateau. Of similar pedigree is La Roque-Gageac, a one-street town on the Dordogne, on which trips in a gabarre inject a welcome break, overlooked by the belvedere of the Jardins de Marqueyssac.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Sarlat Office de Tourisme, 3 rue Tourny, 24200 Sarlat Cedex. www.sarlat-tourisme.com
Sarlat is 52km (32½ miles) south of Brive-la-Gaillarde; 60km (37½ miles) north of Cahors and 74km (46 miles) east of Bergerac. It is in the Dordogne department, and the region of Aquitaine.
Terry Marsh travelled to France courtesy of Brittany Ferries, and stayed at the Hotel la Couleuvrine as a guest of Sarlat Tourism.