Sarlat la Canéda

Updated on Nov 26, 2023

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Country France Department Dordogne Canton Sarlat-la-Canéda Area 47.13 km²		Region Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arrondissement Sarlat-la-Canéda Intercommunality Sarladais Local time Wednesday 9:18 PM

Weather 8°C, Wind NW at 6 km/h, 76% Humidity Points of interest Manoir de Gisson, Sarlat Cathedral, Eklat'park, Hôtel de Maleville, Les Noyeraies du Lande

Sarlat-la-Canéda ([saʁ.la.la.ka.ne.da] ; Occitan: Sarlat e La Canedat), or simply Sarlat, is a commune in the Dordogne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France.

Map of 24200 Sarlat-la-Can%C3%A9da, France

Geography

The town of Sarlat is in a region known in France as the Périgord Noir (the Black Périgord, as opposed to the Green Périgord, the White Périgord, and the Purple Périgord).

History

Sarlat is a medieval town that developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. The medieval Sarlat Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sacerdos.

Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and one of the towns most representative of 14th century France. It owes its current status on France's Tentative List for future nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage site to the enthusiasm of writer, resistance fighter and politician André Malraux, who, as Minister of Culture (1960–1969), restored the town and many other sites of historic significance throughout France. The centre of the old town consists of impeccably restored stone buildings and is largely car-free.

Economy

Agriculture: Agriculture has long been of importance in the Dordogne area around Sarlat. Tobacco has been grown around Sarlat since 1857 and has historically been a major commodity for the area, although it is on the wane. Other agricultural commodities include corn, hay, walnuts, walnut oil, cheeses, wine, cèpes (a species of wild mushroom) and truffles.

Tourism: Numerous visitors—especially from northern Europe (the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, etc.) -- come on holiday to Sarlat and the region surrounding it and some have settled there permanently. The months of July and August are traditionally the haute saison (high season) for visitors, as is true in much of France outside Paris.

Foie gras: There are several large foie gras factories as well as a number of small producers of geese and ducks in the region that make foie gras and other products (confits, pâté, etc.) from these birds.

A film festival has been held there every November since 1991

Transport

Sarlat railway station offers train services to Bergerac and Bordeaux.

Personalities

Sarlat was the birthplace of:

Étienne de La Boétie (1530–1563), judge, writer, and philosopher, friend of Montaigne

François Fournier-Sarlovèze (1773-1827), French general of the Napoleonic Wars

Gauthier de Costes, seigneur de la Calprenède (c.1610-1663), novelist and dramatist

Guillaume de Maleville (1805-1889), lawyer and politician, born in Sarlat.

Henry Sanfourche (1775-1841), aide-de-camp to General Hugues Charlot, colonel of infantry in the Napoleonic army.

Gabriel Tarde, judge and sociologist (1843–1904)

André Malraux, a square and a gallery of paintings bear the name of the former Minister of Culture. This is explained by the fact that it is considered by many Sarladais as the savior of the historical district of the city. While visiting Sarlat, he realizes that the city is in danger of ruins in certain neighborhoods and that some monuments were being destroyed. The Saved Areas Act was drafted to save the city.

Claude Beylie (1932-2001), critic and historian of cinema, born in Sarlat.

References

Sarlat-la-Canéda Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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