On Thursday we went on a drive northeast, about 2.5 hours each way from Lectoure. We stopped in Cahors 10 in the morning. We walked to see Pont Valentre.... always stunning. The Pont was built in the early 14th century, a six span fortified stone arch bridge crossing the river Lot in Cahors. It opened for use in 1350. We walked from the Pont to the Cathedrale Saint-Etienne in the center of Cahors. The Cathedrale was built in the 11th century over a church erected in the 7th century. It was consecrated in 1119. One of the domes is covered in 14th century frescoes. The chapels are decorated with sculptures as well as painted walls and ceilings, as is the choir. I visited the cloister, through a door on the right of the choir. The cloister was built in 1504.
After lunch in Cahors, we drove to Pech Merle, a beautiful cave, with walls of seven painted chambers. The paintings are of of mammoths, horses, reindeer, handprints, and more. We took a 1 hour tour of Pech Merle and weren't allowed to take photographs in the cave. It is amazing to think of the paintings being done over 29,000 years ago!
We stopped on the way back for a short walk overlooking Saint-Cirq Lapopie and the Lot River. Saint-Cirq is a Plus Beaux village and the view is stunning!
Just after we got home, we sat down in our breakfast room for a light dinner, in time to see hot air balloons in the air, having just taken off from the rugby stadium down the hill from Lectoure. A good day!
