I have to admit that on my first visit to Cahors, I didn’t fully appreciate the richness of this medieval city. It took a few months of working at the Cahors and Lot Valley Tourist Office to realize the extent of the city’s rich heritage.
I invite you to discover Cahors, its narrow streets, its heritage and the Lotois art of living.
Among the 10 must-see sites:
1°- Pont valentré, commonly known as the Devil’s Bridge, the oldest bridge in Cahors, dating from the 14th century and a UNESCO World Heritage site – https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/explorer/visitez-la-vallee-du-lot/une-journee-a-cahors/pont-valentre/
2°- Saint-Etienne’s Cathedral, over 900 years old, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains a relic, the Sainte Coiffe, the burial cloth that covered Jesus’ head when he was buried (address: Place Chapou) – https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/la-cathedrale-saint-etienne-de-cahors/
3°- Marché de Cahors, surely one of the most beautiful markets in the Lot. Held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings until around 1:00 pm. Tip: go on Saturdays, as there are many more stalls, producers, farmers, etc. (address: opposite the cathedral).
4°- Heritage library, open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 6pm, one of the most beautiful 19th-century buildings in Cahors, with breathtaking wood panelling (address Place François Mitterrand, next to the CAHORS tourist office) –https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/patrimoine/bibliotheque-patrimoniale-et-de-recherche-du-grand-cahors/
5°- Gallo-Roman amphitheatre, hidden in the underground parking lot (Allées Fénelon, 1st floor of the underground parking lot) – https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/patrimoine/vestiges-de-lamphitheatre/
6°- Medieval streets: rue du docteur Bergougnou, rue nationale, rue du château du roi, rue de la Daurade
7°- Musée Henri Martin : having visited it, this is surely one of the finest museums in the Lot. Paintings by the artist Henri Martin, including an oil painting, “La Fenaison”, over 7m long and around 3m50 wide, paintings by other artists, archaeological discoveries (Roman remains…), permanent and temporary exhibitions, a renovated, bright place, a must-see. – https://www.museehenrimartin.fr/en
7°- Secret gardens of Cahors. Cahors boasts 21 municipal gardens with the “remarkable garden” label. Pleasant places to relax – https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/explorer/visitez-la-vallee-du-lot/une-journee-a-cahors/jardins-secrets/
8°- Mont Saint Cyr, a breathtaking viewpoint giving you an overall view of the heart of the medieval town. Accessible on foot, but bring good shoes as the ground is very rocky, or go by car. In your GPS, point to Mont Saint-Cyr. You won’t be disappointed: the view is worth the trip.
9° – Paid wine tasting at the Malbec Lounge, the official information and tasting area for Cahors wines – https://vindecahors.fr/en/
10°- Fontaine des Chartreux, limestone resurgence, once a place of worship for Divona, the Celtic goddess of water who gave her name to Cahors (Divona Cadurcorum).
To discover Cahors, I recommend :
- take part in a guided tour of the town organized by the Cahors and Lot Valley Tourist Office – For around 1h45-2h, you’ll wander through the town’s medieval streets and discover its history, the Cadurques people (the last Gallic people to resist the Roman invasion), the goddess DIVONA (goddess of water to whom the city of Cahors owes its name, as CAHORS was once called DIVONA CADURCORUM), the rich history of the city’s merchants, etc. Book online on the Cahors Vallée du Lot tourist office website or on site (tip: book online) – https://www.cahorsvalleedulot.com/en/explorer/visitez-la-vallee-du-lot/
- take a cruise on the River Lot – departure 100 m from Valentré Bridge. The cruise lasts 1 hour 20 minutes, with live commentary. An original way to discover Cahors and its monuments, as seen from the River Lot. 13 €/adult, 7 €/child aged 5 to 12, book online or on site – https://www.bateau-cahors.com/croisiere-a-cahors/
- take a guided train ride through the narrow streets of Cadurcia – 45-minute live guided tour, €8/adult, €4/child aged 5 to 12 – book online or on site – https://www.bateau-cahors.com/le-petit-train/
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