Encore, Sarlat

Friday through Thursday, May 24 through 30

Ever since we spent time in Sarlat 7 years ago, we have talked about renting a house or an apartment here for a month. We really liked this medieval city, with its honey-colored stone, its market, and its charming pedestrian streets.

Though we didn’t stay for a month, we did rent an apartment for a week. I especially wanted to be inside the medieval heart of the town, which narrows one’s options. However, we found a 2-bedroom/2-bath apartment just right for the four of us. It was located on a small square tucked in off one of the busy market streets—Cours des Fontaines. Easy access to the market and restaurants. The cathedral was only a block away.

I love the sound of church bells, and Sarlat’s cathedral bells chime on the hour alright but also chime enthusiastically and at some length twice a day. On Ascension Thursday morning, we had chiming that lasted over 10 minutes.

Cathedral St-Sacerdos, begun in the 12th century and completed in the 16th to 17th centuries.

We went up the lift at the covered market. It rises to the top, and the glass enclosure goes beyond the obvious building structure so that you are surrounded by the views and open air above—an exhilarating way to see the medieval city.

Maison de la Boetie, an interesting combination building. It was built in 1525, with Renaissance style on the upper two floors.

A timbered building in the heart of the old city.

The Place du Marche aux Oies, where geese were traditionally sold. If there is one product you can count on finding in Sarlat, it is foie gras. There are numerous specialty shops and many vendors at the weekly markets offering both duck and goose foie gras.

We especially enjoyed walking through the Presidial neighborhood. It sits uphill from the main square and has narrow, curving streets.

For our final night in Sarlat and our final night with Jill and Randy, we splurged with dinner at Le Presidial, a lovely old property in this pretty neighborhood. We ate outside on a balmy evening—a very nice way to wrap up our time in this very special place.