- Cahors
french commune
nomcommune=Cahors
région=Midi-Pyrénées
département=Lot ("préfecture")
arrondissement= Cahors
canton= Cahors
insee= 46042
cp=46000
maire=Marc Lecuru
mandat=
intercomm=
longitude= 1.441389
latitude=44.448333
alt moy=130 m
alt mini=
alt maxi=
hectares=6,472
km²=64.72
sans=23,003
date-sans=1999
dens= 309.1
date-dens=1999|Cahors (IPA2|kaɔʁ;
Occitan : "Caors" pronounced IPA2|kaˈurs, ˈkɔws, ˈkɔw) is the principal town and commune in south westFrance capital of the Lot "département". Its site is dramatic being contained on three sides within an udder shaped twist in the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or "peninsula". Today it is perhaps best known as the centre of the famous AOC 'black' wine known since theMiddle Ages and exported viaBordeaux , long before that region had developed its own viticulture industry.History
Cahors has had a rich history since Celtic times, though it has declined economically since the Middle Ages and lost its university in the eighteenth century. Today it is a popular tourist centre with people coming to enjoy its mediaeval quarter and the unique 14th century fortified Valentré bridge.
Cahors was prominent in the Middle Ages and saw considerable conflict during the
Hundred Years War and the laterWars of Religion . It was also infamous at that time for having bankers that charged interest on their loans. The church in these times said that using money as an end in itself (usury) was a sin. Because of this Cahors became synonymous with this sin, and was mentioned in Dante's Inferno alongside Sodom as wicked.Pope John XXII , born Jacques Duèze or d'Euse, was born in Cahors in1249 , the son of a shoemaker.Cahors was the start of Stage 18 in the
2007 Tour de France .It is the seat of the
Diocese of Cahors .Main sights
* The "Valentré "Bridge, the symbol of the town. Building began in
1308 and it was completed in1378 . The legend associated with this bridge is one of the most fully realized of allDevil's Bridge legends, with a carefully developed plot, complex characters, and a surprising dénouement. When the bridge was restored in1879 , the architectPaul Gout made reference to this by placing a small sculpture of the devil at the summit of one of the towers.
*"Cathédrale Saint-Étienne", a national monument.
* "Saint-Barthélémy "Church, which dates from the14th century [http://www.quercy-tourisme.com/cahors/images/eg_st_bart.jpg] [http://www.mairie-cahors.fr/patrimoine/inventaire/memoire/DPT46-1989/ple/IVR73_89460433VA_P.jpg] .
*"Maison Henri IV" or "Hôtel de Roaldès" (15th century).
*Daurade quarter with:
**"Maison Hérétié "(14th-16th centuries)
**"Maison Dolive "(17th century)
**"Maison du Bourreau "(13th century)
*Thebarbican that once defended the Barre Gate.
*"Tour des pendus".
*"Palais Duèze".
*Tower of Pope John XXII.
*"Collège Pélegry".
*Cloister
*"Arc de Diane", a relic of ancient Roman baths.Wine
The area around Cahors produces wine, primarily robust and tannic red wine. Wine from the Cahors appellation must be made from at least 70% Cot (also called
Malbec , Mabeck, Auxerrois and Pressac) grape, with a maximum of 30%Merlot orTannat grape varieties.External links
* [http://www.mairie-cahors.fr/ Official website] fr icon
*
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