First published: 22/08/20.

Clyde 0

Centre Ancien De Sarlat

Centre ancien de Sarlat (On tentative list)

Centre ancien de Sarlat by Clyde

I visited this tentative WHS in July 2020. Actually, most probably I had already visited Sarlat-la-Canéda in March 2014 when I visited the Vezere Valley but I didn't know it was a tentative WHS back then so I had no recollection or any photos.

Sarlat is a VERY popular tourist spot in Summer - French and international tourists flock here non-stop, even during the COVID-19 pandemic! There are several free parking lots but if you want to avoid waiting for your turn and don't mind paying a few euros, you're likely to find a shaded parking space just in the middle of town at the outdoor Parking Rigaudie. As an aside, in response to Els' review, we witnessed first-hand quite a lot of "civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance" probably originating from La Boétie's "ideals" - almost nobody respected and COVID-19 restrictions here: no social distancing, no face masks or visors, not even sanitising gel in some of the open shops, restaurants and churches.

The Lantern of the Dead (photo) is an odd stone tower to look out for but it isn't unique not even in France. A light was exhibited at night at such stone towers pierced with small openings at the top to indicate the position of a cemetery. Other apparently better examples in France can be seen at Cellefrouin (Charente), Ciron (Indre) and Antigny (Vienne), while in England, in a churchyard at Bisley, Gloucestershire, there's another one referred to as the Poor Souls' Light. The controversy about this stone lantern being a Lantern of the Moors, at least in the case of Sarlat, is more likely to be due to the near-homophones in French: les Maures (the Moors) and les morts (the dead)!

The medieval historic centre is remarkably intact with interesting town houses, facades, churches, monuments, fountains, etc. to explore in every other alley or street. Sarlat is also a very important gastronomic trove for gourmet food, not only for Foie Gras, but also for artisanal liquers, black Perigord truffles and walnut delicacies. If truth be told, the medieval historic centre of Sarlat is much more intact than the inscribed Provins but it lacks the iconic Cesar Tower and does not add anything to the WH list which isn't already covered by already inscribed WHS (plus it really doesn't need any more tourists and publicity!).

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