Day 35 Monday 8 June 2026
We had a lovely day discovering some more beautiful places along the Lot River, including the Devils Bridge in Cahors and walking the tow path to St Cirq Lapopie.
This morning we woke up discovering that our gas had run out! Rookie mistake.. yes we can still make them even after all these years of travelling. As we have 2 bottles we could have swapped over to the other one but as we were going to leave after our coffee anyway we thought we may as well go now to Cahors and just fill up the empty bottle saving the hassle.
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| No wasted money on traffic management in France.. |
Having visited Cahors in 2014, we just stopped to go and see the Devils Bridge -Pont de Valentré. Built in the 14th Century, it spans the Lot River and has 3 impressive towers originally constructed to defend against English invasion during the Hundred Years War. The bridge took seventy years to be built!
Legend has it that the master builder of the time, frustrated with the slow pace of the building project and the eager demands of the local lord to have it completed, signed a pact with the Devil. Agreeing to use his vast power and skills to accelerate the building process, the Devil promised the builder that his bridge would be completed soon if the builder would forfeit his soul upon the bridge’s completion. In 1879 whilst the bridge was being restored, they carved a demon on central tower with his arms wrapped around a stone.
We then drove a little further along the Lot River to Bouzies.
Unfortunately the road in from the side of the river we had taken ment we needed to cross the very narrow bridge. Technically we should fit @ 2.3m width and a 10ton limit. It was just the turning circle onto the bridge was a bit tight! Mark did a bit of manoeuvring and Bluey made it! (Later we were told that motorhomes were not to cross it although there were no signs forbidding it … oops!)
From here we could do a 3.5km along an old tow path to the pretty village of St Cirq Lapopie (visited in 2013). It’s the first time this trip that we have paid for parking - €7/24hrs for motorhomes.
Its was a beautiful walk taking us 45mins..
The last 10mins was straight up hill to the village that is perched on a rocky outcrop. Ooph!
The medieval village offers the tourist all that they wish for.. picturesque scenery, views of the valley from the ruins of the old castle, local art and crafts, souvenirs and many restaurants.
After our stroll and lots of photos, it was time for lunch and a beer, fortifying us for the return journey to Bluey.
Arriving back around 2:30pm we got the chairs out and enjoyed a refreshing drink. Later we had a look at Bouzies. Which offers boat trips and hire as well as a hotel.
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| Only 50km today in Bluey and about 10km walking |
