Page 437 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

Sweeping views from
the Cirque d’Autoire over
the valley below

The capital of the was built between 1308 and area east of Périgord. There
Lot département, 1360, and has with stood are no grand monuments
the small town of many attacks since then. It is or dramatic history, just an
claimed that the bridge is one
unspoiled site at the mouth
Cahors is renowned of the most photo graphed of the Autoire gorge.
for its dark, heady monuments in France. An The Château de Limarque
red wine, which was alternative way to enjoy the on the main square, and the
produced as far back scenery is to take a leisurely Château de Busqueille over­
90­minute boat trip through
looking it, are both built in
as Roman times. the lock from a wharf near characteristic Quercy style, with
the bridge (April–October). turrets and towers. Around the
Cahors makes a good base edge of the square are charm­
nave (said to be the largest from which to explore the ing stone houses with steep
in France). They are covered sights of the Lot. Visit the brown roofs and mullioned
in 14th­century frescoes historic towns of Figeac – windows. Else where, elab orate
that depict the stoning of birth place of Jean­Fran çois dove cotes stand in fields or are
St Stephen (St­Étienne). The Champollion, who first attached to houses.
Renaissance cloisters are deciphered Egyptian hiero­ South of Autoire, past a
deco rated with some intricate, glyphics – and the Grotte de 100­ft (30­m) waterfall, a path
though damaged, carvings. Pech-Merle with its extraor­ climbs to a limestone rock
Also worth seeking out in dinary painted walls. amphitheatre, the Cirque
the cathedral quarter is the d’Autoire, giving panoramic
ornate 16th­century Maison Grotte de Pech-Merle views of Autoire and the lush
de Roaldès, its north faÇade " ⌂ Cabrerets # Mar–Nov: valley below.
decorated with tree, sun, and 9:30am–5pm daily
rose of Quercy motifs. It was ∑ pechmerle.com
here that Henri of Navarre
(who later became Henri IV) Did You Know?
stayed for one night in 1580 17
after besieging and capturing Autiore is best visited
the town. Autoire in spring, when the
The landmark monu ment in ! D6 ⌂ Lot n Saint Céré; flowers that fill the
Cahors is the Pont Valentré, vallee-dordogne.com streets and gardens
a fortified bridge that spans burst into colour.
the river. With seven pointed This is one of the loveliest
arches and three towers, it places in Quercy, the fertile
437

436-437_EW_France.indd 437 29/01/2019 15:54