Cahors facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cahors
Caors (Occitan)
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Prefecture and commune
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Valentré bridge
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 Cahors
Location in France
Cahors
Location in Occitanie
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| Country | France | ||
| Region | Occitanie | ||
| Department | Lot | ||
| Arrondissement | Cahors | ||
| Canton | Cahors-1, 2 and 3 | ||
| Intercommunality | CA Grand Cahors | ||
| Area
1
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64.72 km2 (24.99 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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20,141 | ||
| • Density | 311.20/km2 (806.01/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | ||
| INSEE/Postal code |
46042 /46000
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| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |||
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Cahors is a historic city in the western part of Southern France. It is the main city and capital of the Lot department. About 20,141 people live there (as of 2021).
The city is built in a bend of the Lot River. It is surrounded by steep limestone hills. Cahors has many old buildings, mostly from Roman times and the Middle Ages. These include its historic city center, Saint-Étienne cathedral, and Roman walls.
Cahors is also home to the famous Valentré bridge. This bridge is so important that it is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is part of the ancient pilgrimage path to Santiago de Compostela. The city is well-known for its wine and delicious food. This includes truffles and foie gras. Cahors is recognized as a "French Town of Art and History." The city's economy mainly relies on services.
Contents
Exploring the History of Cahors
Cahors has a long and interesting history. It dates back to Celtic times. Its first name was Divona, or Divona Cadurcorum. This name came from a fountain called "la fontaine des Chartreux." The fountain was special to the Cadurci, a Celtic group who lived there before the Romans arrived.
The Cadurci were among the last Celtic tribes to fight against the Roman invasion around 50 BC. The name Cahors comes from Cadurcorum. After the Romans took over, the city quickly became very Roman. Many Roman buildings were built, and you can still see parts of them today.
Over time, Cahors became less important economically after the Middle Ages. It even lost its university in the 18th century. Today, Cahors is a popular place for tourists. People love to visit its medieval area and the Valentré bridge, which was built in the 14th century. The city is also the home of the Diocese of Cahors, a religious center.
In the Middle Ages, some people from Cahors were known as Cahorsins. These were Christians who lent money and charged interest. At that time, the church believed that charging interest on loans was wrong. Because of this, Cahors was sometimes linked to this idea of sin. It was even mentioned in Dante's famous book, Inferno.
Pope John XXII, whose birth name was Jacques Duèze, was born in Cahors in 1244. His father was a shoemaker.
Cahors has also been part of the famous Tour de France cycling race. It was the starting point for stage 18 in 2007. In 2022, Cahors was the finish line for stage 19 of the race.
Where is Cahors?
Cahors is located about 115 kilometers (71 miles) north of Toulouse. You can reach the city by following the RN20 or A20 highway. This road connects Cahors to cities like Limoges, Paris, and Orléans.
The city sits between 105 meters (344 feet) and 332 meters (1,089 feet) above sea level. The total area of Cahors is 64.72 square kilometers (25 square miles). It has a population density of about 309 people per square kilometer.
Cahors Population Over Time
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1968 | 19,128 | — |
| 1975 | 20,226 | +0.80% |
| 1982 | 19,707 | −0.37% |
| 1990 | 19,735 | +0.02% |
| 1999 | 20,003 | +0.15% |
| 2007 | 20,093 | +0.06% |
| 2012 | 19,991 | −0.10% |
| 2017 | 19,878 | −0.11% |
| Source: INSEE | ||
The population of Cahors has stayed quite steady over the years. In 1968, there were 19,128 people living in the city. By 2017, the population was 19,878. This shows that Cahors has maintained a stable number of residents for many decades.
Famous Places to Visit in Cahors
Cahors is full of amazing historical sites. Here are some of the most important ones:
- The Valentré Bridge is the most famous symbol of Cahors. Its construction started in 1308 and finished in 1378. There's a famous legend about this bridge. It says the architect made a deal with the Devil to help build it. When the bridge was fixed in 1879, the architect Paul Gout even added a small sculpture of the Devil on one of the towers!
- Cathédrale Saint-Étienne is a national monument. It's a beautiful old cathedral.
- Saint-Barthélémy Church was built in the 14th century.
- Maison Henri IV (also called Hôtel de Roaldès) is a lovely house from the 15th century.
- The Daurade quarter is a historic area with several old houses. These include Maison Hérétié (14th–16th centuries), Maison Dolive (17th century), and Maison du Bourreau (13th century).
- The barbican once protected the Barre Gate.
- Arc de Diane is a remaining part of ancient Roman baths.
- Roman Amphitheatre are the ruins of an oval amphitheater. They were found when an underground car park was being built. You can see the stone walls on the first level of the car park. It opened to the public in 2009.
Cahors Wine: A Local Specialty
The area around Cahors is famous for making wine. The wines are mostly red and known for being strong and having a rich taste. These wines are called Cahors appellation wines.
To be called a Cahors wine, it must be made from at least 70% Malbec grapes. Malbec grapes are also known as Cot, Auxerrois, or Pressac. Up to 30% of the wine can also be made from Merlot or Tannat grape varieties.
Culture and Events
Cahors hosts the Cahors Blues Festival every year in July. This popular music festival has been taking place since 1982. It brings many visitors to the city.
Education in Cahors
Cahors once had its own university, the University of Cahors. It was managed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cahors. The university operated from 1331 to 1751.
Pope John XXII officially approved the university on June 7, 1331. It had three colleges in Cahors: Pélegry (founded in 1358), Rodez (1371), and San Michel (1473). The university taught subjects like theology, law, medicine, arts, and literature. In 1751, the University of Cahors joined with the University of Toulouse.
Famous People from Cahors
Many notable people have connections to Cahors:
- Pope John XXII (1244–1334) was born in Cahors. He was Pope from 1316 to 1334.
- Clément Marot (1496–1544) was a famous Renaissance poet.
- Charles Combes (1801–1872) was an engineer. His name is honored on the Eiffel Tower.
- Léon Gambetta (1838–1882) was a lawyer and politician. He helped declare the French Third Republic in 1870.
- Marcel Marceau (1923–2007) was a world-famous actor and mime artist. He passed away in a rest home in Cahors.
- Fabien Galthié (born 1969) is a former rugby player. He is now the head coach of the French national rugby team.
See also
In Spanish: Cahors para niños
