Welcome to the official website dedicated to Tourism in the Lot
History told in the language of flowers
Step by step, the walk turns into a journey, as you savour the evocative names of these artistic creations which rhyme with art of living, beautiful heritage and taste for innovation. "The Garden of Inebriation", "the Little Garden of the Poor Clares", "the Garden of the Ladies of Cahors"…. One after the other, the gardens unfold their leaves before you, creating an original link based on a mediaeval theme to guide you through the city's conservation sector (about 300 ancient buildings and houses).
In the courtyard of the Maison Roaldès is to be found "the Gallant Lover's Bower", composed of plants once reputed to have aphrodisiac powers (artichoke, cardoon, coriander, saffron…). Close by, the lines of the Cathedral of St. Etienne are softened by a colourful row of four Secret Gardens, running from the east end of the church to the cloister: for example, the "Copyists' Courtyard" with its plants once used for colouring inks for manuscripts (madder, elder, iris, woad…); " The Herbarium" with beds surrounded by plaited chestnut withes planted with the "simples" that monks used for medicinal purposes (sages, artemisia, valerian…), and not forgetting "the Celestial Courtyard" with its association of box and rosemary, inspired by religious imagery.
To explore these 30 little gardens one after the other, all you have to do is obtain a free map from the Tourist Office and follow the bronze acanthus leaves set in the pavement to show you the way.
Office de Tourisme de Cahors
05 65 53 20 65
www.tourisme-cahors.com
Office de Tourisme de Cahors
05 65 53 20 65
www.tourisme-cahors.com
The Secret Gardens are the result of much hard work on the part of the active "Nature, City and Gardens" municipal department, who have been inspired by the events, characters, anecdotes, habits and customs of the Middle Ages, a time when Cahors knew fame and prosperity.
A little further...
A little further on, the rue du Petit Mot harbours the "Moorish Garden". A reminder of the occupation of the South of France by the Moors, it is composed of flowery patios where the murmur of water is heard amongst the heady scents of flowers. Then there is "The Caorsins' Courtyard" hidden in the Ilôt Fouillac: luxurious wall of plants, near the musical fountain, recalls the wealth of the "Caorsin" bankers of the Middle Ages, who were so adept at profit-making that their empire stretched from Portugal to England via Germany. Many other Secret Gardens await you on the suggested itinerary, which you can follow as you please, appreciating the seriousness of the historical references, but at the same time enjoying the refreshing, relaxing sight of the gardens.
The Cahors rose: as red as the wine
In the AOC Cahors vineyards, flourishing rose bushes still stand guard over the rows of vines. In the past, their flowers were scrutinised carefully for signs of the diseases which attack vines, and to which the roses react more rapidly. The vital role of roses in the history of the vineyards gave birth to the Cahors rose, a variety obtained by Pierre Reuter.
The petals of this superb dark red flower have a silvery underside and wavy edges. Its warm, deep, voluptuous colour matches that of Cahors AOC wines and echoes their powerful, balanced savours.
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Lot Tourisme
BP 7 – 46001 Cahors cedex 9
05 65 35 07 09
info@tourisme-lot.com
Website co-financed by the European Union. Europe is participating through the European Regional Development Fund