Cahors

Cahors is situated within a U-shaped bend in the River Lot. There was a celtic settlement here, that developed into a large Roman city.

The city was under Visigothic later Merovingian/Frankish influence. The war between Chlothar I sons Chilperic I and Guntram (aka "Saint Guntram) badly affected the economy, but Cahors recovered before it got burnt down and looted by Saracens, Vikings and Magyars in the 8th and 9th century.

When more and more pilgrims flocked on the way to Santiago de Compostela Cahors won importance, as the Via Podiensis run right through the city. It actually still does!

Pope John XXII, who was born in Cahors, founded a university here in 1332, that later became a part of the University of Toulouse.