Sarlat-la-Canéda Saturday Market
Every Saturday morning, the golden medieval squares of Sarlat-la-Canéda disappear beneath a glorious tide of black truffles, walnut oil, foie gras, ripe tomatoes and rounds of aged Cabécou goat's cheese. This is not a tourist market dressed up for visitors — it is where Périgord producers have sold their finest goods for centuries.
What to buy and where to look
The market sprawls across Place de la Liberté, Rue de la République and the surrounding lanes, with specialist vendors clustered by product. Head to the covered stalls near the cathedral for charcuterie — the duck rillettes and magret séché (air-dried duck breast) are exceptional and travel well vacuum-packed.
In truffle season (December to February) a dedicated truffle market operates from around 08:00 in Place des Oies. Prices are steep but negotiable, and watching local restaurateurs sniff and squeeze their selections is theatre in itself.
Eating your way through the stalls
Grab a freshly made sarladaise potato galette from one of the hot-food stands — thin, crisped in duck fat and scattered with garlic and parsley, it is the definitive Périgord street snack. Wash it down with a glass of Bergerac rosé poured straight from the producer's barrel.
By 10:00 the crowds thicken considerably, so arrive by 08:30 to shop comfortably and chat with producers. The Wednesday morning market is smaller but far less crowded and covers the same ground if you want a quieter alternative.
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