Day trip to Cahors- Day 16

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors

Saturday, 6 October 2012
The 'disadvantage' for us of self catering is that we get up so much later so don't get into our day until later. The advantage of course of time to relax and chill a s unlike the Loire and Paris part of the trip we don't really have a list of attractions to do - there is plenty to see but very little we have on our 'must have' lists.
We did want to revisit Cahors as we enjoyed it last time from a photographic perspective. Saint Cirq is really so well located ..on the map it looks like it is in the middle of no where but it probably took about 1/2 an hour to Cahor. We argue every time was to whether to follow the GPS or street signs - GPS seems to be taking us on a different route out of Saint Cirq each time which is interesting.
We drove into Cahors and I must admit, a little like my first impressions of Bergerac, I was wondering if we had made a good decision. It is the eyes you look through I think! was wondering if we had made the right decision because we were struggling to find the attractive part - and the pretty bridge and weir. The Bridge is called the Pont de valentre and a little retrospective research says that it is said t be the most photographed sight in France - after Paris.
Cahors is strategically situated in a loop of the river Lot, surrounded by hills? We found the bridge and had a lovely time exploring that. There was a boat coming up to the lock on the other side. These are more like small cruise boats rather than canal boats as they are cruising the rivers rather than canals. However watching all the time and energy all six people on board were putting in to getting through that lock (and there another one just around the corner!)I think any romantic idea of boating through France has now gone. I need to remember this!
There was an interesting garden of vines near the gate which explained the history of the Cahors vines. These are part of the secret gardens which is a tourist trail throughout the city of mainly walled gardens - we found some more beautiful,gardens near the back of a church. The vines used to be the oldest in Europe but were wiped out by a disease and a frost in 1956 - so what we see today is newer vines. The wine is incredible!
We then decided to move the car to the older part of the town and explore - and we were also hungry. Parking is often free between 12.00 and 2.00 (which is the time slot we were currently in). We found a new carpark (Bruce is amazingly good in the windy streets and parking a left hand drive in tight spots) and then started to look for somewhere to eat. It was just before 12.00 and we were coming across the issue where cafe's and restaurants fatten only serve between 12.00 and 2.00 (kind of goes with the parking!). We eventually found a cute little salon de the which reminded me in it's style of a grungy NZ cafe but with French food. Michael was impressed because they had covers on tintin comics on the wall.
It was SO hot we were disappointed we couldn't sit outside but the the smokers were outside. (One thing has changed in France since we were here last. Smoking is only outside in cafe's and bars). Out seat inside had a wee breeze and after a few glasses of icy water we felt better.
We then did an explore of this part of the town an that was nice. I found a an Esprit which was closing down to did a quick bit of bargain shopping with two pairs of Esprit trouser and an Armani jeans cardi. We are slowly starting to justify the extra bags we bought!
More exploring and photos and a potter back to Saint Cirq.

	The Pont de Valentre [Map]		Old style [Map]
	The boys on the bridge [Map]		Looking out over the weir [Map]
	Down by the lock [Map]		Old town [Map]
	Interesting clock [Map]		More of the old town [Map]

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