Valentré Bridge – Cahors Market Hall loop from Cahors

Hiking trails & Routes

France

Occitania

Valentré Bridge – Cahors Market Hall loop from Cahors

Moderate

4.2

(9)

hikers

Valentré Bridge – Cahors Market Hall loop from Cahors

02:15

7.13km

260m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 15, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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771 m

Valentré Bridge

Highlight • Monument

The Valentré bridge is one of the emblematic monuments of the city of Cahors. Unique in its kind, it is impressive.

This defensive bridge was built from 1308 by order of the consuls of the city. Its impeccable condition is due to its restoration in the 1880s.

By paying attention to the different sculptures, you may notice a frightened devil. The bridge is indeed nicknamed the Devil's Bridge: the architect responsible for the restoration at the beginning of the 19th century, Paul Gout, had this legend immortalized by a sculpted stone. It depicts the devil trying to pull the stone from the bridge without succeeding.

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3.90 km

Viaduct

Highlight • Bridge

4.46 km

Ruins

5.08 km

Mont Saint-Cyr viewpoint overlooking Cahors

Highlight • Viewpoint

By following the route of the Way of Saint-Jacques, the pilgrim sees Cahors for the first time from Mont Saint-Cyr. From this hill, we can also very well see that the city is located in a large bend of the Lot and that it was thus protected in ancient times. Cahors is a city founded in Celtic times. The city worked with wool from sheep raised all over the Quercy. In Roman times, Cahors was called "Cadurcum". At that time, they made military socks and blankets for the Roman legionaries.

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6.06 km

Moulin Saint-James on the Lot

Highlight • Monument

The mill was first mentioned in the 12th century and was then owned by the nearby church of Saint-Urcisse. After the flood in 1783, it was rebuilt and remained in operation until the 20th century.

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6.31 km

Liberation Square

Highlight • Other

Nice square in the heart of the city with nice little cafes and bars

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6.31 km

Pont Valentré

Highlight • Bridge

The Valentré Bridge is one of the few fortified medieval bridges in the world. Its Gothic military architecture makes it a masterpiece of defense and engineering.

1308: The start of construction: The decision to build the bridge was made by the consuls of Cahors to secure the western access to the city and adapt to the flourishing trade.

1308-1378: An endless construction site: The work lasted nearly 70 years, slowed down by the Black Death and the Hundred Years' War. It is from this legendary slowness that the famous legend of the Devil was born.

1879: The great restoration: Having become dilapidated, the bridge underwent a major restoration led by the architect Paul Gout (a student of Viollet-le-Duc). He chose to add the famous sculpture of the little devil on the central tower to immortalize the legend.

1998: Worldwide recognition: The bridge was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.

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6.61 km

Cahors Market Hall

Highlight • Rest Area

Don't miss out on going to the market hall and enjoying at least one cafe

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6.67 km

Galdemar Square

Highlight • Other

The Halle de Cahors (historically known as Halle aux grains) is the heart and soul of Cahors's commercial life in the Lot department. This magnificent historic covered market hosts many artisans and food merchants, offering the best of the Quercy terroir products.

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7.13 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types