Cahors

Cahors (anciently Divona), the chief town in the department of Lot, in the south of France, is situated on a small rocky peninsula, formed by a bend of the river Lot, 71 miles north of Toulouse by rail. The streets are steep and narrow, and present many fine specimens of antique architecture. The cathedral was built early in the 12th century. Cahors contains many Roman remains, including those of a magnificent aqueduct. The famous Fénélon was a student at the university here, which was founded by Pope John XXII. in 1321, but united with that of Toulouse in 1751; and here were born the poet Clement Marot and Léon Gambetta, to whom a monument was raised in 1884. The town was taken and pillaged by Henry of Navarre in 1580. Its industries are pottery and tanning; it has also an active trade in truffles, oil, wine (a dark-red Pontac), wool, and lime. Pop. 13,451.