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Lot
Named after the river Lot that runs through it, the department of Lot lies to the north of the Midi-Pyrénée.
Cahors, a large town with a reputation for wine-making is its capital, and was prominent in the Middle Ages, seeing considerable conflict during the Hundred Years War and the later Wars of Religion.
The Saturday market at Cahors is the best place to sample this wonderful cuisine and get a feel for the laid-back atmosphere of the town.
The capital is famous for its AOC certified wine since the middle ages, even before the region began cultivating its robust viticulture industry. A powerful red wine, Cahors vintage is often remarkable after a few years in bottle, exposing the aromas of spices, coffee and black fruits when uncorked at a local bistro, best paired with aged cheeses.
The old part of Cahors has great architectural value with its medieval landmarks still standing today. The town’s symbol is the ancient Valentré Bridge, begun in 1308 and completed in 1378 as a fortified bridge with its three towers and large arched gateways under which the waters from the Lot River flow.
Though remarkable primarily for the technological hurdles it surpassed, the bridge is most noticeable for the grace and economic impact to the community provided in medieval times, considering that three sides of the town lie within a small peninsula right on the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or ‘almost island.’
Among other iconic landmarks in Cahors are the Cathedral of St. Étienne (from the 12th Century) with a combination of Gothic and Romanesque architecture, the Byzantine cupolas, and the unfinished palace of Pope John XXII, born Jacques Duèze or d'Euse son of a local shoemaker. Modern leisure activities offer unique experiences while visiting Cahors, such as boating, nature-trekking, etc.
