Sarlat-en-Caneda

Wednesday 23rd September

Sarlat-la-Caneda, Dordogne
Another stop on the pilgrims' trail!

We wandered down to the Cite Medieval which was swarming with tourists. It must be horrendous in the high season, because it was very, very busy today. Think of Lorne in January. One saving grace was that all the other tourists were at least twenty years older than us.

There was a market in the market square, and there must be a lot of dead geese and ducks to account for the kilos and kilos of foie gras on sale. What happens to the rest of the bird? Around the town are at least twenty shops specialising in foie gras and other local produce.

Nevertheless we embarked on an historical walking tour around the town. It was very interesting with a mix of medieval and renaissance buildings, many of which are being used as residences, restaurants or Irish pubs.

This is not one of our wow places – perhaps we have been spoilt by quieter and calmer ancient towns and villages. Sarlat is very attractive and if we hadn’t already seen Vezelay or Chinon we may have loved it, but sadly for us, it seems entirely focused on being tarted up for tourists.

Dick thinks he may refocus on calm and serenity by going for a walk in the cemetery.