I’ve been there many times on the way to Domme, one of my favorite villages in France. We ate a wonderful lunch there at a restaurant whose name escapes me but which served the most fabulous omelette “nature” that I have ever had. Quick question, can you phonetically explain how to correctly pronounce Cahors? That middle H always exasperates me. Is it “cower”?
Oh I love Domme, but haven't been there in ages ! The only time I've been to Cahors was, in fact, on a drive back from the Dordogne in...1996! It was off-season, windy and gloomy, and I just took a photo of Le Pont Valentré, then drove on. I know how much towns have changed since then so I'm really excited to get to know Cahors. As for pronunciation, I'd say you pretty much ignore the H and just glide from the A to the O. There are a few audio examples on this page, towards the bottom. https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cahors Do you live in France too?
No, I wish. I am a septagenarian francophile who was
lucky enough to have visited France over 20 times with my late husband beginning in 1988 (my last trip was in 2008). Belcastel, another of our favorite villages is close to Rodez and when we discovered it we were driving downward thru a wooded area and it suddenly appeared as this fairy-tale like apparition. We've eaten at their Michelin restaurant multiple times and stayed across from it. Their "vieux pont" is wonderful. I am definitely French by heart but wonder if I ever get to return if it will be the same country I last saw. Social media has changed so much and of course politically France(indeed The EU itself), is experiencing some of the same craziness than we are here in the US. I always watch the Tour de France every summer for the scenery and even that has been displaced because of the Olympics.
I look forward to your next posts. I am on a very tight "senior" budget so am unable to upgrade but if I win the lottery there are several favorite staks I would like to upgrade to. Bonne continuation.
Karen, I was very touched to hear more from you and also to know that you are familiar with Belcastel! It is indeed an enchanting village, a little over half an hour from where we live. And I agree, the descent into it is amazing. I’ve been to “Le Vieux Pont’ a few times.
It sounds like you had wonderful adventures in France with your husband. As for your mentioning a for-pay subscription, all of my material is free for the foreseeable future. I’m looking forward to communicating with you. Where do you live in the States?
Tallahassee, Florida. My husband retired as a professor at Florida State University and I practiced interior design after obtaining my degree from FSU in visual arts. I then opened a gift shop called "Joie de Vivre" which specialized in French, primarily provençal items: soaps, tablecloths et torchons, poterie, books and glassware.. My husband and I had many adventures. He had spent a year there on sabbatical in Peyminade (sp?) near Grasse before we met. We were a May-December couple so I lost him six years ago but if I had to do it all over again, I would. My favorite thing to do was visit brocantes and my favorite was the Saturday morning one in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon along the river. L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgues is another favorite destination. I dream of returning to France while I am still able and just absorbing all of the countries beauty and charm. And of course, thd wonderful food! I have taken lots of photos and use a lot on my screensaver.
Horrible technical errors are my speciality Betty… don’t worry, I think they add character.! 😉
Cahors is one of my favourite bigger towns in the region, not that I’ve had opportunity to spend any real amount of time there so I shall look forward immensely to you discoveries. Isn’t Le Pont de Valentré amazing, this I have taken time over with my dear friend Gabs who lives in Figeac (a town worth your mention perhaps?) we sometimes take a day to drive along the river from Capdenac down through Cajarc,another favourite small town and on via St Cirq Lapopie to Cahors… it’s a glorious run out as I’m sure you know already…
Hi Susie. I have been to Cahors once, but it was a very quick drive-by in 1996 just to see the bridge and take a quick wander about. It was grey and windy and everything looked quite bleak. I'm sure that, like Rodez, Cahors has changed for the better since 1996 and I'm so interested in some themes I plan to develop.
Figeac is definitely worth an article. I've been there quite a few times. It's a shorter drive and a jaunt I could do without staying overnight.
Population 9,000 plus...definitely qualifies as a small town. Not sure if it needs publicity, but it is a lovely place. I've gone a handful of times, but it's been a while...
I'm convinced of this too, Linda, but getting started has been overwhelming. I've been a very low-key traveler in my own country. Thanks for your encouragement!
Planning is something I always do prior to going on any trip, can’t bear the thought of not knowing what there is to see and do, even down to where we might eat and if within Australia, where are the best shops and supermarkets. My husband on the other hand is quite happy to let me do all the research and then ask each day what and or where are we going today? Grrr. A few months ago I did several weeks of writing about our time in France, nowhere written as well as you, but I enjoyed my “return trip”
I'm also the one who plans the trips in my family. As for planning for a trip like Cahors, though, this is a place that I only live 2 hours away from and in the past, I didn't plan much for that sort of visit, just a quick glance at what to maybe see. This writing/travel project has really changed my focus.
It is interesting that when you do what you are doing how your perspectives change. I certainly noticed it when I started re-visiting places I had written about in the past via my journals
I’ve been there many times on the way to Domme, one of my favorite villages in France. We ate a wonderful lunch there at a restaurant whose name escapes me but which served the most fabulous omelette “nature” that I have ever had. Quick question, can you phonetically explain how to correctly pronounce Cahors? That middle H always exasperates me. Is it “cower”?
Oh I love Domme, but haven't been there in ages ! The only time I've been to Cahors was, in fact, on a drive back from the Dordogne in...1996! It was off-season, windy and gloomy, and I just took a photo of Le Pont Valentré, then drove on. I know how much towns have changed since then so I'm really excited to get to know Cahors. As for pronunciation, I'd say you pretty much ignore the H and just glide from the A to the O. There are a few audio examples on this page, towards the bottom. https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cahors Do you live in France too?
No, I wish. I am a septagenarian francophile who was
lucky enough to have visited France over 20 times with my late husband beginning in 1988 (my last trip was in 2008). Belcastel, another of our favorite villages is close to Rodez and when we discovered it we were driving downward thru a wooded area and it suddenly appeared as this fairy-tale like apparition. We've eaten at their Michelin restaurant multiple times and stayed across from it. Their "vieux pont" is wonderful. I am definitely French by heart but wonder if I ever get to return if it will be the same country I last saw. Social media has changed so much and of course politically France(indeed The EU itself), is experiencing some of the same craziness than we are here in the US. I always watch the Tour de France every summer for the scenery and even that has been displaced because of the Olympics.
I look forward to your next posts. I am on a very tight "senior" budget so am unable to upgrade but if I win the lottery there are several favorite staks I would like to upgrade to. Bonne continuation.
Karen, I was very touched to hear more from you and also to know that you are familiar with Belcastel! It is indeed an enchanting village, a little over half an hour from where we live. And I agree, the descent into it is amazing. I’ve been to “Le Vieux Pont’ a few times.
It sounds like you had wonderful adventures in France with your husband. As for your mentioning a for-pay subscription, all of my material is free for the foreseeable future. I’m looking forward to communicating with you. Where do you live in the States?
Tallahassee, Florida. My husband retired as a professor at Florida State University and I practiced interior design after obtaining my degree from FSU in visual arts. I then opened a gift shop called "Joie de Vivre" which specialized in French, primarily provençal items: soaps, tablecloths et torchons, poterie, books and glassware.. My husband and I had many adventures. He had spent a year there on sabbatical in Peyminade (sp?) near Grasse before we met. We were a May-December couple so I lost him six years ago but if I had to do it all over again, I would. My favorite thing to do was visit brocantes and my favorite was the Saturday morning one in Villeneuve-lez-Avignon along the river. L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgues is another favorite destination. I dream of returning to France while I am still able and just absorbing all of the countries beauty and charm. And of course, thd wonderful food! I have taken lots of photos and use a lot on my screensaver.
Horrible technical errors are my speciality Betty… don’t worry, I think they add character.! 😉
Cahors is one of my favourite bigger towns in the region, not that I’ve had opportunity to spend any real amount of time there so I shall look forward immensely to you discoveries. Isn’t Le Pont de Valentré amazing, this I have taken time over with my dear friend Gabs who lives in Figeac (a town worth your mention perhaps?) we sometimes take a day to drive along the river from Capdenac down through Cajarc,another favourite small town and on via St Cirq Lapopie to Cahors… it’s a glorious run out as I’m sure you know already…
Hi Susie. I have been to Cahors once, but it was a very quick drive-by in 1996 just to see the bridge and take a quick wander about. It was grey and windy and everything looked quite bleak. I'm sure that, like Rodez, Cahors has changed for the better since 1996 and I'm so interested in some themes I plan to develop.
Figeac is definitely worth an article. I've been there quite a few times. It's a shorter drive and a jaunt I could do without staying overnight.
Sarlat is another cool place but I don't know of is big enough to qualify...
Population 9,000 plus...definitely qualifies as a small town. Not sure if it needs publicity, but it is a lovely place. I've gone a handful of times, but it's been a while...
I believe your candid self-doubt will be more than offset by your dedication to the beauty and vibrancy of the experience!
I'm convinced of this too, Linda, but getting started has been overwhelming. I've been a very low-key traveler in my own country. Thanks for your encouragement!
Planning is something I always do prior to going on any trip, can’t bear the thought of not knowing what there is to see and do, even down to where we might eat and if within Australia, where are the best shops and supermarkets. My husband on the other hand is quite happy to let me do all the research and then ask each day what and or where are we going today? Grrr. A few months ago I did several weeks of writing about our time in France, nowhere written as well as you, but I enjoyed my “return trip”
And I'll take a look at your France posts! I always enjoy hearing people's impressions.
I'm also the one who plans the trips in my family. As for planning for a trip like Cahors, though, this is a place that I only live 2 hours away from and in the past, I didn't plan much for that sort of visit, just a quick glance at what to maybe see. This writing/travel project has really changed my focus.
It is interesting that when you do what you are doing how your perspectives change. I certainly noticed it when I started re-visiting places I had written about in the past via my journals
Yeah for you getting to Cahors! This will help us to prepare for our visit next year. Merci 😉
I thought you'd be interested! Cahors will probably be your go-to city for various things you can't find in villages.