Cahors

Since 2008, the Municipality of Cahors has been implementing a strategy to reclaim its central importance, with the leitmotif "rebuild the city on the city". This strategy, now entitled Cahors, Coeur d'Agglo (Cahors, the heart of the agglomeration strategy), has been pointing the need to strengthen the importance of Cahors city centre in order to reinforce the development of the whole area. The Cahors, Coeur d’Agglo strategy aims at reconciling heritage management with the needs of a 21st century city.

Over 2000 years of history have left their mark on the city of Cahors. The city is known for the Valentré bridge, a fortified bridge built in the 14th century, the impressive 11th century Saint-Etienne cathedral, and the winding medieval street of the old city. In 1972, the historic city centre was declared a preservation neighborhood (“secteur sauvegardé”); it is one of the largest historic preservation neighborhoods in France comparatively to the size of the town.

In recent years the historic neighborhood lost inhabitants, shops and economic activities, as many middle-sized cities in France; young families have moved out to the surrounding suburbs. The strategy intends to preserve the architecture of the historic neighbourhood while adapting it to the demands of the population and thus making Cahors city centre a pleasant place to live and work.