The medieval town of Cajarc, (1 161 inhabitants) a “station verte de vacances”, altitude 152m, has a water sports area on the river Lot.
Situated in the Lot valley, 25 km from Figeac and Villefranche de Rouergue, 50 km from Cahors, Cajarc is the main town of its district. The name of the town originates from the gallo-roman “Cairnacum”. The medieval fortifications have been replaced by boulevards which enclose the historic town and its old houses amongst which the maison Hébrardie retains elements of the old castle.
From the view point “la Plogne” above the town there is a panorama of the town in its meander, the feudal castle of Salvanac-Cajarc, and the Conté cliff where there was a protestant stronghold during the 16th century known as the “château des Anglais”.
In the shade of the plane trees, the town offers a relaxing atmosphere where president Pompidou often came to get away from the bustle of life in the capital.
In 1989 the “Centre d’art Contemporain Georges Pompidou” was opened in a typical Quercy style building. Each year there are several exhibitions of works of contemporary artists.
Françoise Sagan who wrote “Bonjour Trietesse” was from Cajarc and the town is also well know because of the comedian Coluche, he has a street named after him, whose characters are immortalised through the river excursions on the boat named the “Schmilblic”.
The Lot river surrounds the rocky spur in one of its characteristic “cingle” or meanders and finds its echo in the circular boulevard which replaced the ramparts, taken down in 1622 by order of King Louis 13th. On the banks of the river pleasure boats have replaced the former barges “gabares” that plied the river Lot and gave rise to the 13th / 14th century port with its small arcaded main square.
