Presentation
From the Valentré bridge to the Saint-Etienne cathedral, the main city in the Lot area blends southern charm with historical treasures. Nestled in a loop of the Lot Valley, Cahors, a city of art and history, is made for the joy of exploration. Established during Roman times, the city of Cahors became an important European commercial and financial centre in the Middle Ages. This golden age is now manifest in an intact and delightfully lively old centre that is well worth a visit.
The Valentré bridge, the city’s emblem, spans the river with its three fortified towers. You can stroll around on foot or approach it by boat during a trip on the Lot. Built in the 14th century, the Valentré bridge is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as are the paths of Santiago de Compostela that cross it. A legend involving the devil is associated with this bridge so keep your eyes peeled and perhaps you’ll spot him!
All year round, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings the must-see Cahors market is held in front of Saint-Etienne cathedral. Here, everything is irresistible: Rocamadour cheeses, Périgord walnuts, foie gras, Quercy melon, Cahors wines.
Cahors is of course at the gateway to the vineyards that have borne its name since the time of François I. This historic Malbec terroir, the main grape variety of the appellation, has many domains to visit, each with a tasting at the end!
Another local speciality is the black melanosporum truffle, known as the “black gold of Quercy”, with the special winter truffle market in Lalbenque, which is very picturesque and a must-see.