Saturday, 8:30 am. The first rays of sun catch the golden façades of the Place de la Liberté, the producers’ vans are pulling into place, and the air already smells of warm bread, fresh walnuts and porcini mushrooms. A few minutes later, the medieval town fills with baskets, lively conversations and impromptu tastings. Welcome to the Sarlat market, one of the most celebrated markets in south-west France.
Whether you come to fill your shopping basket or simply to soak up the atmosphere, this guide covers everything: market days, locations, what to bring home in each season, the winter truffle markets and our insider tips for enjoying it all without the crowds. And to make the experience last, we explain how to savour the local produce right down to your plate at the Château de Maraval.
Sarlat market at a glance: days and places to remember
The Sarlat market is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the historic centre of Sarlat-la-Canéda. Stalls set up on the Place de la Liberté, in front of the town hall, and spill over into the neighbouring streets and little squares.
- Saturday morning: the big event of the week, the largest and liveliest market. Allow plenty of time.
- Wednesday morning: more compact but still very pleasant and often quieter, ideal for relaxed shopping.
- The covered market: housed in the former Sainte-Marie church, redesigned with the signature of architect Jean Nouvel, it lets you find local produce outside the main market days.
Key takeaway
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, head for the Place de la Liberté. Saturday is the most spectacular, Wednesday the most peaceful. As the covered market’s opening hours vary with the season, check with the Sarlat Périgord Noir tourist office before you go.
Why is the Sarlat market so famous?
Sarlat is often named among the best-preserved medieval towns in France. Its market is an institution: a backdrop of honey-coloured stone, mansions and cobbled lanes, with producers in the middle selling what they have grown, raised or made themselves.
A unique medieval setting
Shopping at the Sarlat market means wandering from the Place de la Liberté to the Rue de la République, passing the Saint-Sacerdos cathedral and looking up at the mullioned windows. Few markets offer such a setting. To explore the rest of the old town after your shopping, our guide to things to do in Sarlat over a weekend (in French) is full of ideas.
A showcase of Périgord produce
The Sarlat market brings together everything behind the Périgord Noir’s gourmet reputation: duck and foie gras, walnuts, chestnuts, honey, cheese, mushrooms, strawberries in spring and wines from nearby slopes such as Domme wine. People come as much to taste as to buy, to chat with producers and learn how to recognise a good product.
What to buy at the Sarlat market: the essentials
Here are the products people come to the market for, and the ones that make a lovely souvenir.
Duck in every form
Foie gras, either mi-cuit or preserved, confit, magret, rillettes, gizzards: duck reigns supreme. Ask the producers for advice; many offer tastings and are happy to explain how they raise and prepare their products.
Périgord walnuts
Fresh in autumn, dried the rest of the year, and also as oil, cake, liqueur or coated in chocolate. If the subject fascinates you, head to the Domaine de Vielcroze (in French), entirely devoted to the world of walnuts.
Cheese, honey and farm produce
Goat’s and sheep’s cheeses, chestnut or acacia honey, artisanal jams, country bread, charcuterie: everything you need for a proper picnic.
Seasonal produce
- In spring: Périgord strawberries, asparagus, the first salad leaves.
- In summer: tomatoes, melons, red berries and lively summer evenings.
- In autumn: porcini and other mushrooms, fresh walnuts, chestnuts, squash.
- In winter: black truffles, duck and goose products, festive preserves.
Sarlat market in autumn: the best season for food lovers
October and November are a special time to discover the Sarlat market. The summer crowds have gone, the light is soft and the stalls take on autumn colours. It is the season of much sought-after porcini mushrooms (cèpes), freshly harvested walnuts and chestnuts.
- Come early for mushrooms: the finest porcini go fast, especially on Saturdays.
- Enjoy the calm of Wednesday: on weekdays outside school holidays, you will have plenty of time to talk with producers.
- Bear in mind the All Saints’ holidays: visitor numbers rise again, but the atmosphere remains far more relaxed than in high summer.
Winter markets: truffles and foie gras in Sarlat
When winter arrives, Sarlat lives to the rhythm of the Périgord black truffle. The town organises a public retail truffle market on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on Rue Fénelon, generally from December to the end of February. A wholesale market, reserved for truffle growers and professionals, is held on Wednesday afternoons under the arcades of the town hall. As exact dates are set each season by the town council, check them before your visit.
In January, the truffle festival also draws many food lovers. And in December, the town centre lights up for its Christmas market: find our full guide to the Sarlat Christmas market (in French).
Sarlat night market: the magic of summer evenings
In July and August, Sarlat also comes alive in the evening. The night markets bring together producers, craftspeople and musicians: you buy a dish to go, sit at a shared table and enjoy the mild Périgord evenings. Another very convivial way to discover local produce.
Our practical tips for enjoying the Sarlat market
Arrive early to avoid the crowds
On Saturdays, especially in season, the historic centre fills up quickly. Arriving between 8 and 9 am lets you stroll without the crush, pick the best produce and enjoy the lovely morning light on the façades.
Park without stress
The medieval centre is largely pedestrian. Park in one of the car parks on the edge of the historic centre and finish on foot: a few minutes’ walk is enough.
Bring the right gear
- A sturdy basket or tote bag.
- Some cash, handy with certain small producers.
- Comfortable shoes: the cobblestones are beautiful but slippery in wet weather.
- A cool bag if you are buying cheese or fresh foie gras.
Taste, ask, compare
Feel free to do a first round without buying, to taste and to ask questions. Producers love talking about their work, and that is often how you leave with the best addresses.
Other Périgord Noir markets around Sarlat
Developed a taste for markets? The Périgord Noir has one for almost every day of the week. According to the official Dordogne tourism website, you can stop at:
- Castelnaud-la-Chapelle on Tuesday;
- Montignac on Wednesday;
- Domme on Thursday, in its hilltop bastide (see our guide to the Domme market, in French);
- La Roque-Gageac on Friday;
- Belvès on Saturday;
- Daglan or Saint-Geniès on Sunday.
Note: most small village markets run from April to September, and some only in July and August. Out of season, Sarlat remains the safe bet.
After the market: savour local flavours at the Château de Maraval
The Sarlat market makes you want to cook, to taste, to take your time. That is exactly the spirit of the Château de Maraval, a 4-star boutique hotel set in a 15th-century château in the heart of the Périgord Noir, around twenty minutes from Sarlat’s historic centre.
The perfect base for market mornings
Private parking is free for our guests: you leave early on Saturday morning, reach Sarlat before the crowds and come back to drop off your finds in peace. Every morning from 8 to 10:30 am, our breakfast buffet already celebrates local produce with artisanal jams, Périgord honey and fresh bread.
Local flavours right down to your plate
In the evening, there is no need to get back in the car. You can dine at the château thanks to the seasonal menu created with Chef Fabrice, chef and restaurateur from Daglan, or treat yourself to a bespoke dinner with our private in-house chef, Kevin Hoffmann, from €105 per person for 2 to 6 guests. All the details are on our Chef & Gastronomy page. And if you prefer to dine in town, our selection of the best restaurants in Sarlat (in French) awaits you.
A moment of wellbeing after your stroll
After a morning on the cobblestones, it is time to unwind: a wooden sauna in the garden, a jacuzzi and massages by appointment in our spa area. Then back to one of our rooms and suites, each with its own personality.
Want to experience the Sarlat market like a local? Book your stay at the Château de Maraval and let our team help you plan your gourmet weekend in the Périgord Noir.
Sarlat market FAQ
What day is the Sarlat market?
The Sarlat market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the historic centre, mainly on the Place de la Liberté and in the surrounding streets. Saturday is the big market day.
Where is the covered market in Sarlat?
The covered market is housed in the former Sainte-Marie church, in the heart of the old town. Its opening hours vary with the season, so check with the tourist office.
When is the Sarlat truffle market?
The retail truffle market is held on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on Rue Fénelon, generally from December to the end of February. Exact dates are announced each season by the town council.
What time should I arrive at the Sarlat market?
Ideally between 8 and 9 am, especially on Saturdays and in summer. You will get the best produce and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Where to stay to enjoy the Sarlat market?
To combine the market, sightseeing and peace and quiet, the Château de Maraval, a 4-star hotel with spa, welcomes you around twenty minutes from Sarlat’s historic centre, with free private parking.
