18 June 2017

Cahors


On Friday, while waiting to collect Rick from the refuge, we had lunch in Cahors at the Auberge des Gabares.  We sat outside on a lovely wisteria clad terrace overlooking the River Lot. (Gabares are the old sailing barges that were one used to transport goods along the river, nowadays they just transport tourists).

The last time we ate at this auberge, tucked away up a flight of stairs, we were greeted by a rather gruff old host who plonked a bottle of red wine in front of us and barked “boeuf ou porc?”  The subsequent meal was an absolute banquet with tureens of soup and cheese platters passed from table to table.  The auberge has now been taken over by a young couple after the previous owners retired and they follow a similar theme although there is now a small a la carte menu if you don’t want the dish of the day.  We had a delicious quiche followed by fish pie, then a generous selection of cheeses and finally a fantastic choice of desserts (I had strawberries and panna cotta).  Fifteen euros each!


After lunch we wandered past the cathedral and through the old, narrow streets of Cahors.  A new bronze statue, L’Ange de Lazaret, has been installed outside the cathedral, rather grotesque but still fascinating.




The sculptor, Marc Petit, quotes:

These old faces and bodies are not decay; on the contrary, it shows a vision of a loved one.  This is not torment.  When you get older the bodies are transformed and through it there is also a beauty
The cost of this installation, just a mere 150,000 euros.  
I like walking these back streets; I call it the sewing quarter because there is a big, old fashioned fabric store and then further on several artisan studios producing haute couture.  I felt a little under dressed in my shorts and t-shirt covered in muddy paw prints. We don’t visit the city very often so it was a pleasant interlude. 





(Rick seems to be enjoying his new home, it is very hot this afternoon so right now he is indoors, stretched out on the terracotta tiles having a snooze.) 




14 comments:

  1. Food sounds delicious, I like set menus.

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  2. A day to remember in Cahors, excellent food, a walk round the town and finally bringing Rick home - what could be better.
    Inca (the Lab) suffered the indignity of a shower under the hose pipe this morning, and now everywhere smells of Herbal dog shampoo.

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    1. It was certainly a memorable day. I guess the day will come when we will have to try and bathe Rick. He doesn't seem too keen on the hose pipe at the moment.

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  3. I found Cahors in my atlas - didn`t realize you were in that part of the country. It definitely looks worth a visit!

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    1. It's an interesting place, famous for the medieval Pont Valentré (or devil's bridge). The city is situated in a loop of the Lot River so there is water on three sides.

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  4. What a treat to read this post. Spent a few days in Cahors in 1949 in the days when Britain was still suffering stringent rationing and France seemed a land of plenty. I still have the sepia pics Thanks again..I felt as if I was back there.

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    1. I suspect many parts of the city are unchanged since 1949. Wow, that's a long time ago.

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  5. I particularly like the indoor market, and that shop that sells Patak's Indian pickles. Always thinking of FOOD.

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    1. Nothing wrong with thinking about food!

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  6. It sounds a delightful place. I would say that Rick has landed on his feet - he looks to have settled in already.

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    1. The old parts, like many cities, are beautiful. Rick certainly seems to be happy in his new home.

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  7. To keep Prince Rick cooler why not unzip his fur coat and hang it on a hook?

    Cahors looks lovely and sleepy.

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    1. Funnily enough I've just been googling about shaggy dogs in the heat, apparently their thick coats act as insulation so it's not necessary to remove them. Anyway I've been looking for the zip and I can't find it.

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