Cahors (Occitan: Caors) is the princpal town and commune in south west France capital of the Lot département. Its site is dramatic being contained on three sides within an udder shaped twist in the river Lot known as a 'presqu'île' or almost island. Today it is perhaps best known as the centre of the famous AOC'black' wine known since the middle ages and exported from Bordeaux, long before that region had developed its own viticulture industry.
The Valentré Bridge, which is the symbol of the town, was begun in 1308 and completed in 1378. The legend associated with this bridge is one of the most fully realized of all Devil's Bridge legends, with a carefully developed plot, complex characters, and a surprising dénouement. When the bridge was restored in 1879, the architect Paul Gout made reference to this by placing a small sculpture of the devil at the summit of one of the towers. Wine with the AOC Cahors must be made from at least 70% Cot (also called Malbec) grape, with a maximum of 30% Merlot or Tannat grape varieties.
