Best of Sarlat-la-Canéda arrondissement

Arrondissement de Sarlat-la-Canéda Essentials

The Arrondissement de Sarlat-la-Canéda encompasses the heart of the Périgord Noir, a region defined by its concentration of prehistoric sites and medieval strongholds. It features the world-renowned Lascaux Caves and the cliffside fortresses of Beynac and Castelnaud, which faced each other during the Hundred Years' War. The area includes the 15th-century Château des Milandes, former home of Josephine Baker, and the sculpted boxwood gardens of Marqueyssac. Sarlat-la-Canéda serves as the cultural hub, preserving one of Europe's most significant ensembles of medieval and Renaissance architecture.

Luc Viatour / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Château de Beynac

Medieval fortress featuring a Romanesque keep and well-preserved ramparts. It played a strategic role during the Hundred Years' War and served as a stronghold.

Lascaux Caves

Monumental prehistoric art site containing Upper Paleolithic paintings and engravings primarily of animals. This UNESCO World Heritage site features ancient artistic expressions dating back 17,000 to 22,000 years.

Jebulon / CC0

Château de Tarde

Medieval manor house and national monument featuring a distinctive round tower. This historic dwelling was part of a fortified settlement and once served as a residence for local gentry.

Xabi Rome-Hérault / CC BY 3.0

Commarque Castle

Medieval fortified castle and troglodytic site featuring a prehistoric cave with ancient engravings. The complex includes a stone keep, six towers, and a Romanesque chapel dating back to the 12th century.

Manfred Heyde / CC BY-SA 3.0

Château des Milandes

Historic 15th-century castle and former residence of Josephine Baker, featuring neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance architecture. The site includes early 20th-century gardens, falconry demonstrations, and a museum dedicated to Baker's life and French Resistance activities.

Ladislaus Hoffner / CC BY-SA 4.0

Jardins de Marqueyssac

Hanging gardens featuring 150,000 hand-pruned, centuries-old boxwood trees spread across 22 hectares of paths and stone huts. A belvedere provides panoramic views of the Dordogne valley and its castles.

Père Igor / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sarlat Cathedral

Sarlat Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church and former cathedral located in Sarlat-la-Canéda, France. It is a national monument.

Château de Castelnaud / CC BY-SA 3.0

Château de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle

Late 12th-century fortification housing an extensive collection of period weaponry, armor, and reconstructed siege engines. The site offers panoramic views from its position overlooking the river valley.

Krzysztof Golik / CC BY-SA 4.0

Château de Marqueyssac

17th-century estate featuring 22 hectares of romantic gardens and six kilometers of walking paths. The site is known for its extensive sculpted greenery and a Belvedere offering views of the surrounding valley.

Néfermaât / CC BY-SA 2.5

Château de Beynac

Historic 12th-century cliffside castle featuring a Romanesque keep and Renaissance elements. It is perched on a limestone plateau and provides panoramic views of the Dordogne valley.

Sémhur / CC BY-SA 3.0

Les Combarelles

Prehistoric show cave and UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring over 600 Magdalenian animal engravings dating back 11,000 to 18,000 years. It is a significant site of parietal art inhabited by Cro-Magnon people.

Koalina23 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Maison forte de Reignac

Extraordinary cliff castle and troglodytic site built directly into a protective rock face. It features furnished rooms and an exhibition on torture while preserving heritage from prehistory through the Middle Ages.

120 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Château de Tayac

12th-century fortress built into the limestone cliffs overlooking the Vézère valley. This strategic stronghold served as a defensive point during the Middle Ages and is situated near the region's significant prehistoric sites.

Rouffignac Cave

The Rouffignac cave, in the French commune of Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac in the Dordogne département, contains over 250 engravings…

Jebulon / CC0

Lanterne des morts XIIe siècle

Also known as the Tower of Saint-Bernard, this 12th-century Romanesque structure is a rare example of a lantern of the dead. It was built to commemorate Saint Bernard’s visit to Sarlat in 1147.