The town of Sarlat lies in a hollow between hills a few miles north of the Dordogne River, and it possesses the highest concentration of medieval, Renaissance and 17th century façades of any town in France. The town originally developed around a large Benedictine abbey in the 8th century. After the Hundred Years' War Sarlat suffered considerable damage, yet it was granted a privileged status in return for the loyalty it had shown to the French Crown.
Sarlat was quickly restored and rebuilt, and re-emerged with the beautiful buildings it has retained to this day. Much of Sarlat's oldest architecture can be found in the lanes at the back of the cathedral. Here, a number of pretty courtyards - such as Cour des Fontaines and Cour des Chanoines - can be found, as can some of the town's original fortifications. All in all, more than 1,000 years of architecture can be seen here: from the 19th century buildings on the Rue de la République to the medieval houses of the Old Town, or Vieille Ville. All have been beautifully maintained or restored.
Embark on a journey for the senses, delving into the flavors, scents and famous views of France. Find yourself enveloped in history and in awe of beauty at every turn while traveling from the gastronomic capital, Lyon, to the City of Lights, Paris. On this grand tour, uncover beautiful Nice on the Côte d'Azur, learn the art of perfume-making in...