Cahors Overview

Nestled in the crook of the Lot River, Cahors (kah-ohr; pop. 20,000) is a staple in the St-Jacques de Compostela pilgrimage as well as a convenient base for daytrips to the surrounding villages, vineyards, cliffs, and caves. The town itself offers the impressive 14th-century Valentré Bridge and a medieval quarter—both of which can be explored in a leisurely afternoon.

• Trains: Av. Jean Jaurès. Info booth open M and F 6am-6pm, Tu-Th and Sa-Su 8am-6pm. To: Brive-la-Gaillarde (1hr., 8-9 per day, €15-17); Limoges (2hr., 6 per day, €26-29); Montauban (45min., 10 per day, €9.80-12); Toulouse (1hr., 9 per day, €17).
• Taxi: Allo-Taxi, 742 chemin des Junies (☎05 65 22 19 42). 24hr.
• Car Rental: Avis, 26 av. Jean Jaurès (☎05 65 30 13 10), on pl. de la Gare. Open M-F 8am-noon and 2-6pm, Sa 8am-noon. AmEx/MC/V.

Practical Information

• Tourist Office: Pl. Mitterrand (☎05 65 53 20 65; www.mairie-cahors.fr). From the station, bear right, cross the street, and head up rue Anatole France. At the end of the street, turn left on rue du Président Wilson, then right on bd. Gambetta. The office is around the corner (15min.). Staff reserves accommodations (€0.90) and gives tours of the cité médiévale and the Pont Valentré in French; €6.50, students and ages 12-18 €4, under 12 free. Open July-Aug. M-F 9am-12:30pm and 1:30-6:30pm, Sa 9am-12:30pm and 1:30-6pm, Su 10am-1pm; Sept.-June M-Sa 9am-12:30pm and 1:30-6pm.
• Youth Centers: Bureau Information Jeunesse, 20 rue Frédéric Suisse (☎05 65 23 95 90). Internet (€2 per hr.), printing service, travel planning, and info on housing and summer jobs. Open M-Tu 1-6pm, W 9am-noon and 1-6pm, F 1-5pm. Les Docks, 430 allées des Soupirs (☎05 65 22 36 38). Internet €2 per hr. Open Tu-F 2-6pm.
• Laundromats: 208 rue Georges Clemenceau. Wash €3.60-7, dry €0.40 per 5min. Open daily 7am-9pm. Also at 265 rue Nationale. Wash €3.40, dry €1 per 10min. Open daily 7:30am-9:30pm.
• Police: Pl. Bessières (☎05 65 23 17 17).
• Hospital: 449 rue du Président Wilson (☎05 65 20 50 50).
• Post Office: 257 rue Wilson (☎05 65 20 61 00). Currency exchange available. Open M-F 8:15am-6pm, Sa 8:30am-noon. Postal Code: 46000.

Accommodations And Camping

• Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs Frédéric Suisse (HI), 20 rue Frédéric Suisse (☎05 65 35 64 71; fax 35 95 92). From the station, bear right on rue Anatole France and left on rue Frédéric Suisse. 17th-century mansion has co-ed dorms, comfortable private rooms, and large multi-room suites. Toilets and showers in the hall. Breakfast €3.50. Linen €2.90. Reception 9am-noon and 1:30-9pm. If the office is closed, pull the rope. 2- to 10-bunk dorms and singles €10. Cash only.
• Le Melchior, 397 av. Jean Jaurès (☎05 65 35 03 38; www.lemelchior.com). A pilgrim favorite. Family-run. Clean, comfortable rooms with baths. Reserve early for bargain singles. Breakfast €5.80. Reception daily 7am-10pm. Singles €35; doubles €43-50; triples and quads €60. Extra bed €8. MC/V.
• Camping Rivière de Cabessut, rue de la Rivière (☎05 65 30 06 30; www.cabessut.com). From pl. de la Libération, take the 2nd left onto rue Pelegry and turn right over the bridge. Turn left and walk along the water for 2km (35min.). Or take the free shuttle from the tourist office to Stade and walk 10min. along the river. Large, shaded sites. On-site bar, pool, and minigolf. Laundry. Reception 8am-10pm. Reserve ahead in summer. Open Apr.-Sept. €4 per person, children €2.50; sites €8. Electricity €2. Cash only.

Food

Open-air markets on place Chapou (W and Sa 8am-noon) and Les Halles (Tu-Sa 8am-12:30pm and 3-7pm, Su 9am-noon) offer fresh produce, local wine, Cabécou cheese, and a friendly atmosphere. The first and third Saturdays of the month, a fair takes over place François Mitterrand. A Casino supermarket is on pl. Imbert, near the tourist office. (Open July-Aug. M-Sa 9am-12:30pm and 3-7:30pm, Su 9am-12:30pm; Sept.-June M-Sa 9am-12:30pm and 3-7:30pm.)

• Le Mephisto, 10 av. Jean Jaurès (☎05 65 53 00 77). Enthusiastic owner and hearty food ensure a warm welcome. Menus €9-18. Open M-Sa 7am-9pm. MC/V.
• Le Lamparo, pl. de la Halle (☎05 65 35 25 93), in the cité médiévale. Pizzas (€7.60-9.50), heaping plates of pasta (€7-8.90), and traditional French meat dishes on a sprawling terrace. Menu €12-22. Open M-Th 11:45am-2:15pm and 7-10:30pm, F-Sa 11:45am-2pm and 7-11:30pm. MC/V.

Sights And Festivals 

In mid-July, Cahors enjoys the four-day Cahors Blues Festival. Afternoon and evening blues “appetizers” in cafes and bars are free, while Wednesday and Friday concerts on pl. Bessieres are €20. (☎05 65 20 87 83; www.cahorsbluesfestival.com. Buy tickets online.) The Festival de Saint-Céré features classical music in Cahors from late July to mid-August. (☎05 65 38 28 08; www.festival-saint-cere.com. Buy tickets by phone or last-minute at the tourist office.)

 Pont Valentré. This 14th-century structure, credited with staving off invaders during the 1580 siege of Cahors, is by far the city’s most impressive sight. Legend has it that its architect, dismayed by construction delays, sold his soul to the devil with the promise that he could have any wish before dawn. He wished for the bridge to be finished and for the devil to bring him water in a strainer. The demon could not grant the second wish and turned to stone. Look carefully to see the devil clutching a corner of the central tower, a detail added by restoration architect Paul Gout. Hike up the trail on the other side of the bridge for a spectacular view of the city.

Cathédrale Saint-Étienne. This 12th-century cathedral offers a juxtaposition of Roman and Gothic styles. The structure is topped by two recently uncovered cupolas and boasts vividly restored medieval murals. St-Étienne often hosts classical concerts. (Pl. Chapou. ☎05 65 35 27 80. Open daily 9am-7pm.)

Musée Henri Martin. In addition to Cahors-themed temporary exhibits, this museum displays some earlier modern art, including Neo-Impressionist interpretations of Cahors by the Toulouse-born and locally renowned Henri Martin. (792 rue Émile Zola. ☎05 65 20 88 66. Open M and W-Sa 11am-6pm, Su 2-6pm. €3, students, seniors, and ages 7-18 €1.50, under 6 free; 1st Su of the month free.)

Musée De La Résistance, De La Déportation, Et De La Libération Du Lot. Located in the former barracks of a military base, this museum recounts Cahors’s role in WWII. Each of its three floors is dedicated to one of the namesake themes. Do not miss the display of detainees’ drawings and poems on the second floor. Info is available in English, but a grasp of French is required to fully appreciate the exhibits. (Pl. Bessières. ☎05 65 22 14 25. Open daily 2-6pm. Free.)