The Place de la Liberté is the heart of Sarlat — an elongated square bordered by golden limestone facades, the 17th-century town hall, and the side wall of the cathedral. It is the natural gathering point and the site of the famous Saturday market that takes over the surrounding streets from early morning.
The market is one of the best in the Dordogne: stalls sell foie gras, truffles, walnuts, cèpe mushrooms, confit duck, and local wine. Prices are real rather than tourist-inflated because local farmers and producers are the sellers. In winter the truffle market here is serious business — come early, watch the deals being made, and buy if you can afford to.
The square is crowded in July and August. In April or October, with the same stone buildings and a fraction of the visitors, it is considerably more pleasant.