Cahors Tourist Attractions
|
|
Cahors (pop. 21,432), picturesquely situated in a bend on the Lot, was the old capital of Quercy and in medieval times an important commercial and university town. Its most important monument is the Pont Valentré (1308-1380), with three 40m/130ft high towers, an outstanding example of a medieval fortified bridge (restored in the 19th C). Beyond the bridge, under a crag on the Lot some 400m/440yd south, is the Fontaine des Chartreux or Source de Divonne, which supplies Cahors with drinking water.
Cathedral of St Etienne
A short distance northeast of Place Aristide-Briand (in which is a monument to Léon Gambetta, 1838-1882) is the Romanesque/Byzantine Cathedral of St- Etienne (11th-15th C.), with a fine Romanesque north doorway, originally the main entrance, dating from the first building phase. The facade is 14th century. Fine paintings in the choir and on the dome. On the south side of the church is a Flamboyant-style cloister (16th C.).
Maison de Roaldès (Municipal Museum)
The Maison de Roaldès, in Place Henri-IV, dates from the late 15th C. (restored 1912). Henry IV is said to have lived in the house during the siege of Cahors in 1580. The former Bishop's Palace now houses the Municipal Museum (mementos of the politician Léon Gambetta, a native of Cahors).
Tour Jean XXII (Tour St Jean)
Just off Place de-Gaulle is the 34m/112ft high Tour Jean XXII, a relic of an old palace. Farther north, on a crag, is the Tour St-Jean, which, like the Barbacane, the old Guard-House (15th C.), was part of the town's defenses. In the highest part of the old town is the church of St-Barthélemy (14th C.).
Musee de Plein Air du Quency
At Cabrerets, between Figeac and Cahors, is the Domaine de Cuzals, with the Quercy Open-Air Museum. Here, on a site of 200 hectares/500 acres, farmhouses and farm buildings from all over Quercy have been re-erected. There are also a number of thematic collections (country life in the 19th C., folk art, local crafts).
Château de Bonaguil
Near Duravel, some distance from the Lot, is the massive castle of Bonaguil, a magnificent example of military architecture of the turn of the 15th-16th centuries, still impressive in spite of the damage it suffered during the French Revolution.
Surroundings
Villeneuve-sur-Lot
Villeneuve-sur-Lot (pop. 22,801), in the Middle Ages one of the most important towns in the region, has preserved two town gates dating from that period. The bridge over the Lot was built by the English in the 13th century.
Ste Colombe de Villeneuve sur Lot - Lastournelle Caves
The Lastournelle Caves are said to have been created over 25 million years ago, when the Aquitaine plateau was being formed. They were discovered in the 19th century by a well-sinker, but the entrance was not found until 1955. Two years later, the caves were opened to the public.They are made up of seven rooms, including the pillar room, named after its long stalactites and stalagmites.The caves are located in Lot-et-Garonne, between Agen and Velleneuve-sur-Lot.
Castella - Fontirou Cave
Fontirou Cave began forming over 30 million years ago. It was discovered accidentally in 1905, when a cow stepped into a natural chimney. Although the cave is quite small, the seven rooms currently open to visitors include all kinds of colored stalactites. There is also a paleontological collection on display.The cave is 300 meters from the Fontirou Prehistoric Park.
