Sarlat

All you want to know about Sarlat

Sarlat-la-Canéda, or simply Sarlat, is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.

Sarlat is one of the most attractive and alluring towns in southwestern France. Population (1999): 9,707.

House of La Boétie, the immortal friend of Montaigne. Ph. Luc Viatour: Click here for more pictures of Sarlat: Commons

The centre of Sarlat on a summer's day, 2003.

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Sarlat-la-Canéda

1 Geography
2 History
3 Economy
4 Trivia
5 Sister cities
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

Geography

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

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.

Portable still at Sarlat

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 sort of wild mushrooms) and truffles.
Tourism: Numerous visitors -- especially from northern Europe (the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, etc.) -- come on holiday to Sarlat and the lovely region surrounding it and some have settled here 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 cherished products (confits, pâté, etc.) from these birds.

Trivia

Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (July 2008)

Sarlat was the birthplace of:

Étienne de La Boétie (1530-1563), judge and writer, friend of Montaigne
Gauthier de Costes, seigneur de la Calprenède (c.1610-1663), novelist and dramatist
Gabriel Tarde, judge and sociologist (1843-1904)

Literature and film references: The town and region has featured in two modern american films: Ridley Scott’s first Hollywood film, The Duellists (1978) based on Joseph Conrad's Napoleonic tale, starring Harvey Keitel and gorgeous on-location cinematography; and more recently Timeline (2003) adapted from Michael Crichton’s time-travel novel, set in 14th century France.

Other movies partly shot in Sarlat: Ever After, a Cinderella Story (1998, by Andy Tennant with Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Houston) ; The Musketeer (2001, by Peter Hyams with C. Deneuve and Justin Chambers) ; Jacquou le croquant (2007, by Laurent Boutonnat with Gaspard Ulliel and MariJosé Croze)