Former Town Hall

The former town hall

A stop on the Sarlat audio-guided tour, the former town hall sums up the city's entire history. This former episcopal palace became over time a town hall, a court, a prison, a theatre, and today a tourist office.

From episcopal palace to tourist office

When the diocese of Sarlat was created in 1317, the bishops first settled in the former abbey dwelling, then a true palace was built at the end of the fifteenth century. The wing facing Place du Peyrou, with its Gothic mullioned windows and Renaissance openings, bears witness to this. At the Revolution, the building lost its spiritual purpose and became a town hall, court, police station and even prison.

What to see

In 1900, a spectacular transformation gave the building a new life. Now a tourist office, it preserves the traces of its many vocations. Observe the fine Gothic and Renaissance wing, a witness to the religious and political influence of Sarlat.

Practical information

The former town hall is on Place du Peyrou, in the heart of old Sarlat. It houses the tourist office; opening days and hours should be checked depending on the season.

What was the building's original purpose ?

An episcopal palace, built at the end of the fifteenth century after the creation of the diocese of Sarlat in 1317.

What does the building hold today ?

The Sarlat tourist office.