www.holidays-cahors.co.uk. Tucked in a loop of the Lot, the ancient capital of Quercy was first settled by the Gauls and then the Romans, who named it Divona Carducorum for the sacred spring, the Fontaine de Chartreux, on the opposite bank of the Lot, and for the local linen cloth. Another local product is the remarkably dark-coloured, tannic red wine known as Cahors, though it is not to everyone’s taste.

An important medieval city, the old town of Cahors lies to the east of boulevard Gambetta guarded by a handful of towers. Squeezed into a tightly fitting square (Wednesday and Saturday markets), the Périgord-style Cathédrale de Saint-Etienne supports a pair of hefty domes, one of which is decorated with a 14thC fresco of the apostles, while St Stephen is seen being stoned to death in the apex. The vaulted cloister is carved with a host of 16thC Flamboyant Gothic capitals, but the most interesting carvings are reserved for the 12thC North Portal, where Christ ascends amidst hellish visions of monsters and sinners entwined with vines and thistles. The stone rosettes incorporate the rose symbol of Quercy.

Across avenue Gambetta, with its cafés and shops, rue du President Wilson (ironically, famous 19thC statesman Léon Gambetta was born at No.9) leads to the magnificent Pont Valentré, which spans the Lot on six arches rising from diamond-shaped pontoons. The architect is said to have sold his soul to the Devil in order to complete his 13thC masterpiece.