Cahors Property Insight

Cahors is a 20,000 inhabitants’ medieval town located in the Lot department (Midi Pyrenees region). It is situated on a peninsula surrounded with hills. As from the 1st century BC, Cahors is nicknamed Divona Cadurcorum. Cahors is the capital of the famous red wine of the same name, one of the oldest wines in France. This is also the 35 parks town from where you can discover the old town and the renowned pont Valentré, a fortified three towers bridge (which is part of the World Heritage). Its other nickname is the town with a Florentine style.

Overview

The pont Valentré is the traditional symbol of Cahors. This is the only fortified bridge in France which did not undergo any damage during the medieval period. It holds three machicolated towers, crenulated parapets and seven arches. It had never been attacked neither by the English nor by Henri de Navarre while they occupied Cahors. La Barbacane and the Tour des Pendus, located at the north entrance door of the town, are worth visiting: they are part of the most beautiful vestiges of the town. Saint Etienne Cathedral, built in the end of the 11th century, has Romane roots amongst which you can see its limestone, slate nave and two cupolas. The west façade, built in beige sandstone during the beginning of the 14th century, has a stronghold appearance due to its Gothic style, which is in contrast with the rest of the monument. Another part which has a Gothic style is the cloister.

Gaze at Saint Barthelemy church lasting from the 14th century, the Pope John 22 which is the only vestige of the Dueze Palace owned by the Pope’s brother and the Daurade quarter.

Cahors’ canton is composed of numerous towns worth visiting such as Arcambal and the Bousquet castle, Laroque-des-Arcs burg, Pech-de-Clary or Polminhac castle, built around a circular 12th century dungeon.

The Museum of the Resistance, Deportation and Liberation presents the birth and the development of the Resistance in the Lot department as well as the deportations and persecutions which were the result of this movement. It also deals with the fights for the liberation and the Français Libres de Brazzaville in Berlin.

Cahors Immobilier & Property Market Trends

Cahors did not escape from the economic and real estate crisis which has been affected France since the end of 2008. Indeed prices dropped in the town and this is the right moment to buy a property.

The average prices for an apartment for sale vary from €1,220/sq m to €1,560/sq m. Newly built apartments are a few more expensive - from €2,350/sq m to €2,740/sq m - but these figures remain under the national average property prices of €3,197/sq m.

If you are looking for a house, here again prices are quite cheap. The average price is €173,500 but the price may change according to your needs and expectations. For example, if you are interested in a small property and if your budget is low, then prices will be affordable: about €123,500 for a 3-room house. If you need or want a larger house, you can pitch on a 4-room property for about €147,000, a 5-room property for about €188,000 or a 6-room property for about €258,000.

As regards rentals, prices are still under the national average, €8.6/square metre in Cahors against €12.22/square metre in France in general. There are as many houses as apartments in the town, so a buy-to-let may be a profitable investment.

To get updated info about the property prices in the Lot departement, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

4 Reasons to Buy a Property in Cahors

• Gastronomy: Cahors has been for a long time the capital of gastronomy with its famous ‘black wine’ (pure Malbec), which has today more than 250 appellations. Foie gras and truffles can also be found in this town as well as free-range lamb, melon, rocamadour cheese, saffron, and the last but not the least Cahors red wine (AOC).

• Street markets: three markets are organised regularly in Cahors. The traditional market is without any doubt the largest and the most coloured markets of the department. About 60 producers and more than 2,000 visitors come there either to buy or to take a walk. It takes place in Place Chapou in front of the cathedral. The covered market town, in place Galdemar is opened from Tuesday to Sunday. Finally, each first and third Saturday of the month, you can discover Cahors’ fair. In July and August, do not miss the night town markets.

• Sport, hobbies and activities: a panoply of activities, sports and hobbies will make anyone happy. Hiking, horse riding, potholing, athletics, cycling, mountain biking, dancing, petanque, bowling, skiing, tennis, archery, air sports, collective sports, boat, canoe-kayak, zoo, fishing… the list would be too long to enumerate all here.

• Location: Cahors is easily reachable by the A20 motorway – it is 5 ½ hr from Paris and 1 ¼ hr from Toulouse. The Toulouse train leads to Paris (5 hr) but Cahors also holds a railway station. Inside the town, you can travel with the Bus Evidence routes. By air, Toulouse airport is the closest one (1 hr from Cahors) and Cahors’ aerodrome is dedicated to tourism aviation.

Property Styles and Architecture in Cahors

Properties in Cahors are white stone houses with covered terrace, pigeonnier and beautiful exposed timberwork.

• Villas: around 1900, the richest families built villas in the west area of Cahors but also in the north and south of the peninsula. Villas are large and modern houses holding all comfort: swimming pool, large land and terrace. They are situated in quiet places from where you can admire the lovely scenery of the countryside.

• Cottages: new peripheral quarters, such as Saint-Namphaise, were built in the ‘60s and are essentially cottages. They are made of white stones, often have a pigeonnier and a covered terrace. They are very charming houses located most of the time in the countryside and thus offer an amazing view on vine and orchards.

• Village houses: if you are looking for an accommodation in the town centre, the best may be to invest in a village house. They are close to all amenities(local shops, services and schools) and offer more dynamism than the countryside. Such properties are often made of white stone and may hold a garden, courtyard and balcony.

Click here for more info about Midi Pyrenees Architecture.