Sights in Quercy
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Pont Valentré
The six-span Pont Valentré, on the western side of the city, south of the train station, is one of France's most iconic medieval bridges. Built as part of the town's defences in the 14th century, the parapets projecting from two of its three tall towers were designed to allow defenders to drop missiles on attackers below. On the bank opposite the bridge, numerous Roman coins have been found at the natural spring known as the Fontaine des Chartreux, dedicated to the city's Gallo-Roman goddess Divona, which still supplies the city's drinking water.
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A
Cathédrale St-Étienne
Similar in style to the Cathédrale St-Front in Périgueux, the airy nave of Cahors' Romanesque cathedral, consecrated in 1119, is topped by two cupolas (at 18m wide, the largest in France). Some of the frescos are 14th century, but the side chapels and carvings in the cloître (cloister) mainly date from the Flamboyant Gothic period in the 16th century. On the cathedral's north facade is a carved tympanum depicting Christ surrounded by fluttering angels and pious saints.
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Vieux Cahors
The old medieval quarter is east of blvd Léon Gambetta, which cuts through the centre of the modern city. In the Middle Ages Cahors was a prosperous commercial and financial centre, and reminders of the city's wealth are clearly visible along the narrow streets and alleyways of Vieux Cahors, densely packed with elegant houses and hôtels particuliers (private mansions).
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Fontaine des Chartreux
Two millennia ago, the Fontaine des Chartreux was used in the worship of Divona, the namesake of Gallo-Roman Cahors. Many coins, minted between 27 BC and AD 54 and thrown into the water as offerings, were discovered by archaeologists a few years back. The flooded cavern under the pool has been explored by divers to a depth of 137m.
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Tour du Pape Jean XXII
At the top of the old city, the Tour du Pape Jean XXII (closed to the public) is the town's tallest building at 34m high. It was originally part of a 14th-century mansion belonging to Jacques Duèse (later Pope John XXII), who constructed the Pont Valentré and founded Cahors' university.
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Chapelle St-Gausbert
Off the cloister, next to Cathédrale St-Étienne, Chapelle St-Gausbert houses a small collection of liturgical objects. The frescoes of the final judgement date from around 1500.
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Église St-Barthélémy
Across the street from the Tour du Papa Jean XXII is the 14th-century Église St-Barthélémy, with its massive brick and stone belfry.
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Mechanical Clock
Near the cathedral, the 1997-installed clock looks like something out of Tim Burton's sketchbook.
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cloître
Accessible from the cathedral's choir, the badly damaged cloître, is in the Flamboyant Gothic style of the early 16th century.
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Musée Henri Martin
Displays include works by the Cahors-born pointillist painter Henri Martin (1893–1972).
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Old City
In the Middle Ages, Cahors was a prosperous commercial centre, and the old city is densely packed with timber-fronted houses and galleried mansions built by the city's medieval merchants. Many are marked on the Itinéraires à Travers la Ville leaflet from the tourist office.
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