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  • Day 15

    Imp on the bridge

    May 21, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Set off in the rain headed for Cahors. Another medieval / gallo/ Roman town. It was the old capital of Quercy.
    We pitched up, had lunch , and then cycled into town as the rain stopped.
    Picked up a walking map from the tourist office and a bird promptly did a big shit on it. Had to get another, much to amusement of tourist staff.... The big town draw is the Pont Valentré. Apparently the best preserved medieval bridge in Europe. Six gothic arches and three towers, built between 1308 and 1378. Stunning. Rumour has it the architect made a pact with the devil, selling his soul to guarantee finishing on time. Then he changed his mind and the devil made an imp climb up the middle tower every night and throw down a stone so it was never finished. The bridge was restored in 1800s and the then architect added a devil's imp to the middle tower in deference to the story.
    Spent the afternoon meandering the medieval streets and visiting the cathedral. Lots of pilgrims here, one walking in flip flops....
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