Hotel L'Aquitaine

Cahors - Medieval and vibrant

by trisbj

Cahors is not a well known city by tourist standards - thank God. Its normality is contrasted by its dramatic setting - surrounded by the river which allowed it to thrive over the ages, the high cliffs all around providing good defence and the beauty of its medieval town, the most complete in this part of France. It also has a wonderful example of medieval military overkill - The Pont Valentre - a bridge so srong in its defences that it frightened off two kings. As a consequence both bridge and city are in fine conditon.
Its a lovely place to wander and to explore.

"A charming cafe in a pumping station"

We have returned a number of times to this cafe. Run a by a cool French lady who is an artist - her works are inside the small interior - and the partner of a french 'action' artist - newspaper clippings aslo available. She will sometimes provide pickled treats for customers and turns on the water mister in the summer. Based in an old water pumping and purification station the cafe is a great venue to watch the bridge and speculate on its past....

"Pont Valentre"