Cahors - Pont Valentré

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!

There are actually two different routes to Cahors for the pilgrims. They either can follow the valley of the Lot or they choose the "chemin" through the valley of the Cele (what I did some years ago). But there is only one chemin out of Cahors - via the Pont Valentré.

The six-span fortified bridge has become a symbol of the city. It was built between 1308 and 1378.