Sarlat-la-Canéda - Sainte-Marie

Sarlat developed around a Benedictine abbey, founded in Carolingian times. The town flourished, even was the center of a diocese from 1317 on. Rebuilt after the Hundred Years War, the center of Sarlat has remained preserved - and by now is a major touristic center of the Perigord Noir area. In summer - it gets really crowded.

Sainte-Marie was erected in Gothic style within the 14th and 15th century, replacing an older Romanesque church. It got consecrated in 1507. After the French Revolution it served as a factory for arms and gunpowder, bakery, coal storage... In 1834 the aspe got demolished. Meanwhile perfectly restored it serves as the "marche couvert" (market hall).