Mende

Mende (alt. 730 m/2,395ft; pop. 11,792), the Roman Mimate, in the upper valley of the Lot, is a good starting point for an exploration of either the Lot valley or the Gorges du Tarn. Above the town rise the steeply scarped slopes of the Causse de Mende, more than 300 m/1,000ft high. The Cathedral of St-Pierre is mainly 14th C.; the towers were added 200 years later. The interior is richly decorated, with Aubusson tapestries of 1708. In the Middle Ages Mende possessed the largest bell in Christendom, weighing 25 tons, but this was destroyed in 1579 during the wars of religion and only the clapper, 2.15 m/7ft long, survives.

The narrow Pont Notre-Dame over the Lot dates from the 14th C., having successfully withstood the river's spates for nearly 600 years. The Musée Ignon Fabre, a historical museum, is housed in a 17th C. building with a fine staircase.

From Mont Mimat there are fine views of Mende and the Lot valley.