Things to do 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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Le Balandre
With chandeliers, sparkling glasses and napkins you could cut your finger on, the Grand Hotel Terminus' gourmet restaurant continues to command a devoted following, especially for its foie gras and confit de canard. Ask about its program of cooking courses.
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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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Centrale de Réservation Loisirs Accueil
The Centrale de Réservation Loisirs Accueil, in the same building as the tourist office, arranges canoe, bicycle and horse-riding excursions and various guided walks around town. They can also organise accommodation in the area's many chambres d'hôtes and gîtes ruraux.
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Le Marché
Puce-and-cream armchairs, razor-edge wood and slate walls set the designer tone at the Market, and the menu's just as swish, ranging from roast tarragon beef to lemon-scented sea bass.
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Marché Couvert
The city's main covered market is usually just referred to as Les Halles. There's an open-air market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings around the covered market and on place Jean-Jacques Chapou. Nearby, food shops can be found around place des Halles and along rue de la Préfecture.
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Le Saint Urcisse
With a delightful walled garden and birds chattering away outside, this place is hard to beat for summer lunch. There's a good choice of traditional French cuisine, including some mouthwatering desserts - just don't plan too much for the afternoon.
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Le Lamparo
Decent wood-fired pizzas, pastas and other staples served in a Med-style dining room.
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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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Les Docks
This one-time warehouse is now a municipal cultural centre, with a concert hall, small-scale theatre, practice rooms, a free skate park and an internet café.
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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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Marie Colline
This familial little bistro has such a traditional feel that it comes as something of a surprise that its menu (a handful of daily choices) is entirely meat- and fish-free. Solo diners are seated at a sociable communal table.
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L'O à la Bouche
'Cuisine creative' are the watchwords at this refined little restaurant where classic ingredients are given a fresh spin, such as cod in a peanut crust and a gorgeous 'tout coco' chocolate pudding.
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Les 2 Pâtes
Pick up a panini, pasta-and-sauce combo or Belgian fries (served with a minifork) to take away or eat on the streetside covered terrace.
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