The Valentré Bridge (UNESCO), its little devil & the Fontaine des Chartreux
The must-do sunset walk from the building
With its three fortified towers and six Gothic arches reflected in the Lot, it is the living postcard of Cahors. Walk across it and continue just opposite to the blue spring of the Fontaine des Chartreux.
Why you should look up at the middle tower
Work on the Valentré Bridge began in 1308 and lasted more than half a century. Legend has it that the architect, despairing of ever seeing his work finished, made a pact with the Devil. To avoid handing over his soul, he gave the Devil a final task: to fetch water for the masons… with a sieve! Furious, the Devil came back every night to loosen a stone at the top of the central tower. During the 1879 restoration, the architect Paul Gout had a small stone devil carved, which is still trying to pull out its block beneath the roof of the middle tower.
The hidden gem just across the bridge: the Fontaine des Chartreux
Many visitors stop at the end of the bridge and turn back. Be sure to carry on 200 metres to the right along the left bank: you will come to the Fontaine des Chartreux (the ancient sacred spring of Divona, which gave Cahors its Gallo-Roman name). It is a natural resurgence of a fascinating blue-green colour that plunges more than 130 metres beneath the cliff.
Stroll back along the banks of the Lot
To return to 98 rue du Château du Roi, don't go back through the town-centre streets: follow the footpath along the river, at the water's edge. It is flat, shaded and very peaceful.
100% pedestrian bridge, free access all year round. Illuminated every evening from nightfall.
Our favourite time to go: about 40 minutes before sunset. The limestone turns golden and you will see the floodlights come on in the water at dusk.