Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Musée de Sarlat et du Périgord noir presents eclectic collections covering various fields, from prehistory to sacred art, fine arts and ethnography. These non-exhaustive collections highlight landmarks from local archaeological excavations, including those conducted by Bernard Mortureux between 1926 and 1960. Four major sites provided significant archaeological furniture: Pech de l'Azè (Acheulean and Mossterian tools), La Gane (Mossterian material), Les Borderies (Solutraean objects), and Les Pandoyes (artifacts of the Iron and Bronze Age). These discoveries illustrate the prehistoric richness of the Sarladese territory.

The lapidary collection, from the Enfeux and Hotel Plamon, offers a valuable insight into medieval sculpture and architecture. Heteroclite objects, such as medieval ceramics, cannon balls or a 19th-century sword, come from incidental discoveries during work in the old town. Sacred art is represented by altarpieces, tabernacles and liturgical objects of the churches of Sarlat and the surrounding area, testifying to regional baroque art, including the Tournier workshop. These pieces, often saved from dispersion, complement a collection of sacred art enriched by paramentic elements collected in local parishes.

The ethnographic dimension of the museum is based on recent acquisitions aimed at reconstructing a collective memory. Objects of everyday life, clothing, agricultural tools and artefacts of local artisans (carpenters, stone tailors, lauziers) from the 19th and 20th centuries illustrate the perigordine culture. A scientific heritage, including 16th century astronomical instruments, evokes the works of Jean Tardes, a Sarladese scholar. Fine arts include a variety of collections, such as Emmanuel Lasserre, Robert Couzinou, and Maurice Albe, the latter representing almost a third of the museum's works. Posters and lithographs related to the Festival des Jeux du Théâtre, Sarlat's historical cultural event, complete this collection.

The museum also retains documentary sources essential to understanding the city's recent history. Photographs, old postcards, local newspapers (such as Le Glaneur or L'Union Sarladaise), and ancient books address various themes: religion, tourism, culture. The Gary fonds, acquired in 1993, adds portraits of illustrious perigordin characters, monuments and ancient maps, strengthening the heritage and memorial dimension of the institution.

External links