A Medieval Walk in Cahors

#pontvalentre#cahors#folklore#lotriver

Tuesday 23rd August 2016 

We spent today just strolling the many streets of Cahors and walked to the famous bridge "Pont Valentre". I read that this bridge is said to be the most photographed sight in France outside of Paris. 

The folklore/ story about this 14th century structure is that "the devil" helped with the construction. 

The construction of the six span fortified stone arched bridge took place over 70 years from 1308 to 1378. The impatient architect supposedly made a deal with the devil ... he would give up his soul if the devil would help with the construction. As the project was nearing completion the architect had second thoughts and tried to back out his part of the deal. Now the devil was not happy and as the masons laid the last stone on the final days ... The devil would remove it at night and repeated this many times.

Today the devil still clings to the corner of the tower! 

The bridge is also part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. 

The devil ...

We spent sometime on the bridge watching several boats manoeuvre the locks and floating logs! 

During our walk our eyes were treated with many beautiful sights ...this lovely decorated balcony, interesting architechure, creative shop signage, peeks at some of the secret gardens and we finished our afternoon with a little people watching from our Café seats. 

 

                    

                        

And then we returned to the shade and coolness of our courtyard ...

Lunch in the Lot

#montcuq#cafedefrance#prayssac#lotvalley

Monday, 22nd August 2016

Today we went on a little road trip to a small commune that we visited over three years ago in June 2013.  On that visit the weather didn't cooperate it was cool and drizzly ... so we enjoyed a pleasant lunch but we were unable to tour the village. 

Today we arrived under blue, blue skies and very hot temperatures, so we did get to have a walkabout in the quaint commune.

Montcuq is situated approximately 25 kms southwest outside of Cahors. 

Remnants of the weekend fête .... 

                     

                                 

       

 Such aged patina ... 

Oh my where does the time go ... it's time for "déjeuner" again.  

Oh look there's the same café ... Café de France.

                           "Bon appétit" in many languages ..

                  

We opted for a light lunch ... sharing two starters ... A tomato /mozzarella salad and an avocado/ shrimp salad plate and we shared a most delicious crémé brûle. 

We wandered a little more after our lunch and discovered a very different "war memorial" ... a walkway, park area. 

From here we drove north about a half hour to Prayssac for a surprise drop in to reconnect with our "French Connection" friends. We had a lovely catch up visit and made plans to meet again later in the week.

They have a beautiful piece of heaven overlooking the vineyards. 

Great to see you both again ... C & B! 

www.cafedefrance-Montcuq.com 

Cheers from Cahors

Saturday, 20th August 2016/ Sunday, 21st August 2016

This afternoon we said our "bientôts" to Laury and headed to our rented "pied à terre" for the next week in the historic centre of Cahors.  

We settled in quickly and we were very pleased with the accommodation plus the location which was very close/ central to many shoppes, cafés, restaurants and the Market square .. and eureka we were lucky in finding a parking spot just a few doors from our apartment (no cars allowed on our street).

Our week in Cahors was chosen as a central location to meet up with friends in the Lot Valley plus see a bit more of this lovely town. We've visited here before but only for a quick pop in a for a couple hours/ half day during our other adventures to France. 

Cahors sits in a loop of the Lot River surrounded on three sides. It is famous for its' deep red wines, known as AOC "black" wine - Malbec. 

This pic was taken on other trip from high above. 

The historic centre is dominated by the Saint Etienne Catherdal (Gothic & Romanesque architecture) with it's large domes and century old frescoes. 

It has narrow alleyways and half timbered houses. 

There are two Markets each week on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. 

And you know we definitely had a day out at the Wednesday market ... I'll be sharing that story in another post. 

                 

We did not have any ambitious plans to do a lot of touristy activities for this week. 

We just wanted to unwind and enjoy the local atmosphere, café sitting and people watching plus visit with some friends. 

Sunday we just wandered the streets having a lazy day on a very hot day.

A surprise ... wisteria blooming in late August!

On our stroll we discovered some beautiful gardens and parks ....

         

And then it was time for a cool refreshment and some café relaxing .... before we head home for our dinner in the courtyard. 

                             "Santé" ... "Cheers!"