Cahors is one of the most beautiful towns in France. It is located in the department of Le Lot, one hour north of the city of Toulouse. It is a town that you can visit on a weekend getaway or in one day.
In this post I talk about what to see and do in Cahors and some great options where to stay.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN CAHORS, FRANCE
Marvel at the Pont Valentré, the most beautiful place to see in Cahors
The Pont Valentré is the main monument to see in Cahors, it is one of the most beautiful bridges in France. It is an old fortified stone bridge dating from the medieval period. It was built during the Franco-English wars in 1306, although it was not finished until 72 years later.
The objective was to prevent attacks on the city. And it served its purpose as Cahors was never attacked! It is 138 meters long and its three fortified towers give it the appearance of a castle. The Pont Valentré crosses the Lot river creating a very beautiful landscape with vegetation surrounding it.
Visit the Saint-Étienne Cathedral
The Saint-Étienne Cathedral is the main religious building in the town of Cahors. It is a Romanesque cathedral built between 1080 and 1135, located in the heart of the city.
The building has two Byzantine-style domes and some beautiful stained glass windows that catch the eye. It is worth visiting its beautiful cloister, where you will find some very beautiful and intimate gardens.
Discover the legend of the devil
Most of the bridges built in the Middle Ages hide various myths. And of course, the Pont Valentré too. Legend has it that the architect was so desperate to finish the work that he asked Satan for help in exchange for his soul.
In this way, the devil put all his knowledge at the service of the work. So in a short time the works finished successfully. However, the architect was unable to fulfill his part of the deal and to save his soul he asked the devil to go and collect water to quench the thirst of his workers.
As a consequence, the devil became enraged and every night he stole the last stone from the central tower, today known as the Devil's Tower. Thus, the architect had to repair it every morning.
Stroll through its medieval streets of Cahors aimlessly
The city is full of historical buildings, in addition, its medieval streets have a very romantic air and it is worth wandering aimlessly and appreciating every corner, its balconies, its alleys that lead to internal gardens...
Climb Mont Saint-Cyr
You cannot leave Cahors without going up to the Mont Saint-Cyr viewpoint. You can get there by car or on foot. In fact, from the Louis-Philippe bridge, it only takes about 15 minutes to walk up a rocky path. It is not very demanding, suitable for all audiences. And once up, enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Do not miss the Cahors market
A few steps from the Cahors Cathedral, you can visit the city market. They have all kinds of regional products from the Lot such as foie gras and truffles, cheeses... You can visit it in the morning and watch the locals do their shopping. It is a very pleasant environment and the opportunity to buy quality local products.
Get to know the Monumental Clock
This clock is located in a roundabout located in the Place Saint Urcisse. It was built by Michel Zacharrou in 1997. You will be able to see how the clock works and all its internal mechanism. It works through the movement of metallic balls. 54 balls log 18,000 kilometers a year. Incredible!
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to France a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!
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