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An exceptional medieval and Renaissance town, Sarlat-la-Canéda has one of the highest densities of listed monuments per square metre in Europe and is the gateway to the treasures of the Périgord Noir. For a high-end stay, combine a stroll through the golden lanes with privileged experiences: a hot air balloon flight, truffle hunting, a private cruise on the Dordogne, a candlelit dinner at Marqueyssac…
Here is our selection of the 7 exceptional activities to prioritise around Sarlat, to be combined with a stay at a premium campsite.
To kick off our selection of activities in Sarlat in high-end style, nothing beats a sunrise hot air balloon flight. The ascent lasts about 1 hour and offers a 360° view of the châteaux of Beynac, Castelnaud and Fayrac and the village of La Roque-Gageac, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France. Local operators offer private flights in a basket for 2 people, for a particularly intimate experience for two. Take-off takes place between 6am and 7am in high season, with a champagne toast on landing.
Allow from €220 per person for a shared flight, and up to €800 for a private flight.
The second pillar of our top activities to do in Sarlat from a gastronomic angle is the black truffle hunt with a Périgord truffle grower. The experience runs from December to February, when the Tuber melanosporum, the famous black truffle, is at its peak. The programme combines a presentation of truffle cultivation, a demonstration of truffle hunting with a truffle dog, then lunch or an afternoon snack built entirely around truffles at the estate.
Several truffle growers around Sarlat (Le Coux-et-Bigaroque, Cazoulès, Sainte-Nathalène) run these workshops in very small groups. The Saturday morning truffle market in Sarlat, on the Place Boissarie, completes the immersion perfectly.
Allow from €95 per person for a full morning.
Third premium activity to do in Sarlat: a private gabarre cruise at sunset. The gabarre is a traditional flat-bottomed boat that once carried goods along the Dordogne. Today, two operators (Gabarres de Beynac and Gabarres de La Roque-Gageac) offer private hire of a boat for 2 to 12 people. The trip lasts about 50 minutes and passes the châteaux of Marqueyssac, Castelnaud, Beynac and Fayrac, with commentary from a local boatman. For a truly high-end version, some operators add a tasting of Bergerac wines and a platter of regional produce on board.
Booking is essential at least 1 month in advance in high season.
Fourth suggestion: the Soirées des Chandelles at the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac. On summer evenings, the 6 hectares of hand-clipped boxwood come alight with thousands of candles for a magical setting above the Dordogne valley. The belvedere, 130 metres above the river, offers a superb view over Beynac, Castelnaud and La Roque-Gageac. A live orchestra sets the mood, and a regional dinner is served at the orientation table by reservation.
This event is among the most sought-after evenings in the Périgord Noir, so book from May to secure a place.
Fifth highlight of our top activities in Sarlat: the Périgord cooking workshop at a local chef’s estate. Over 3 to 4 hours, the chef introduces you to traditional Périgord techniques. Several signature dishes are on the programme:
The premium package usually includes a visit to the Sarlat market with the chef to choose the produce, followed by a tasting lunch with Bergerac wines. Several addresses stand out around Sarlat: the Manoir d’Eyrignac, the Château de Mercuès or the Hostellerie La Hoirie.
Allow from €180 per person for the full package including lunch.
Sixth idea for your list of things to do in Sarlat: a private tasting of fine wines at a wine estate in Bergerac or Monbazillac. Just 50 minutes from Sarlat, the Bergerac vineyard covers almost 12,000 hectares and 13 appellations, including the well-known Monbazillac, Pécharmant and Saussignac. Several estates open their doors for private visits: the Château de Monbazillac, the Château Tirecul La Gravière or the Château Tour des Gendres. The premium tasting takes place in the historic cellars, with a sommelier, paired with local specialities (foie gras, Périgord goat’s cheese, walnut cake).
Booking is recommended 15 days in advance, either as an individual or for a small private group.
To close our selection of activities to do in Sarlat, head to Montignac and the Centre International de l’Art Pariétal Lascaux IV, 25 minutes north of the medieval town. The full replica of the decorated cave opened in 2016 and faithfully recreates the paintings and engravings of the original sanctuary, closed to the public since 1963. Private visits are booked outside peak hours (before 9.30am or in the evening), with a dedicated science mediator, for full immersion in cave art around 20,000 years old. The premium package often includes a cave-painting workshop and access to the cave art theatre.
Booking is required at least 2 weeks in advance, from €350 for a small group.
Fancy discovering Sarlat and the Périgord Noir with these exceptional experiences? Book your stay soon at one of the 5-star campsites in Sarlat!
To visit Sarlat and fully enjoy the high-end activities of the Périgord Noir, allow at least 4 days: one day for the medieval town, two days for the châteaux and the Dordogne valley, and one day for Lascaux IV and the Vézère valley. A week allows you to add the premium experiences (hot air balloon, truffles, wine tasting).
The best time to visit Sarlat depends on the activities you want. May to June and September to October bring more moderate crowds and mild weather. July and August are packed with events and the Soirées des Chandelles at Marqueyssac. For truffle hunting, aim for December to February, the harvest season for the Périgord black truffle.
Absolutely, Sarlat is very family-friendly. The pedestrian medieval town appeals to all ages, and the premium experiences come in family versions too: hot air balloon flights from age 6, gabarre cruises, an educational trail at Lascaux IV, and a walk through the giant boxwood of the Marqueyssac gardens with a play area and a zip line above the valley.
