Sarlat (La Caneda) Hotels

Sarlat-la-Caneda, 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. 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 SarlatBecause 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. Nestled at the bottom of a sheltered valley, Sarlat-la-Canéda is one of the most attractive medieval towns in France. It's certainly one of the best-restored – a maze of cobbled alleyways, unexpected cul-de-sacs and snaking lanes, hemmed in by the town's distinctive honey-bricked buildings and elegant mansions. Unsurprisingly, it's also hugely popular, and the summer crowds can take the shine off things. Sarlat makes an excellent base for exploring the prehistoric sites of the Vézère Valley.