Sainte-Marie Fountain

Tucked into a natural cave that was adapted in the 12th century, the Sainte-Marie Fountain is easy to spot with its wide pointed arch and four water spouts that still flow to this day. For centuries, this was Sarlat’s only source of drinking water. Every household came here to fill their jugs, despite the health risks posed by nearby stables and waste. Its name comes from a tragic chapter in the town’s history: in 1279, the plague struck Sarlat, wiping out half of its population. The townspeople prayed to the Virgin Mary in the Church of Sainte-Marie, and when the epidemic finally subsided, they placed a small statue of the Virgin in a niche at the back of the spring to give thanks. From then on, it became known as the Sainte-Marie Fountain. More than just a water source, it was a place of daily life and devotion. Travellers would toss coins into the water for good luck — coins that local children were always quick to fish out. Today, the gentle murmur of the fountain still echoes along Rue des Consuls, offering a peaceful reminder of Sarlat’s medieval rhythm of life and the faith that once sustained its people.