June 23 – Cahors

We are wandering Cahors today until it gets too hot.  First stop was the famous Pont Valentré that is the symbol of Cahors.  It was built in the 14^th century and is a six-span fortified stone bridge.  With two towers.  Very picturesque.

There were a lot of grape vines planted near the bridge.  They were called the Garden of Inebriation...a garden that evokes the wine industry of the area.

Views of the Lot River from the bridge.

Across the river was Fountaine des Chartreux.  This is the location of a spring that was revered since the Celtic times and later supplied water for a mill.  And, of course, there are Roman connections.

Cahors is on the French route on the way to the Santiago de Compostela.  They use the same symbol for the route as we saw in Portugal.  These little medallions can be found all along the route.  

We spent a lot of time walking today, even in the heat.  Fortunately, many of the streets were quite narrow so there was a lot of shade. 

Occasionally we would see small water features.  They didn't really cool things down any but they were refreshing to look at. 

We saw a lot of bronze statues in a courtyard. 

As we wandered the city we saw more and more of these statues by the sculpture Marc Petit. 

The Angel of Lazret.

On the Edge.

The Family.

The Blue Island.

The Quarantine.

and the Source...don't know what's up with the upside down horse in the trough.  But it's interesting.

Our wanderings also took us to the Cathedral of Saint Steven,

the shady (and slightly cooler) Square Olivier de Magny,

with it's tiny lending library.

Tthe Place de Metterand with a statue and fountain,

and the Allees Fenelon.  The trees were too small to be really good shade from the brutal sun.

We had seen a petite train earlier in our wanderings so we found the train...

and took a ride around the town.  We passed some fountains, 

lots of narrow streets, 

and lots of old and interesting buildings. 

We also saw the City Hall,

the Palace of Justice,

the Old Ramparts,

the Fountain of the Rolling Ball Clock,

and the Eiffel Bridge (designed by the design firm that did the Eiffel Tower...we have seen their work in several locations).

St. Stevens cathedral... 

and a few other views of Cahors from across the river.

Lots of interesting doors during our wanderings.

It was back to the hotel for the rest of the afternoon.  Too hot.