Cahors has been an important city throughout its long history, the capital of the Quercy region of south-west France. Located within a wide loop of the river, surrounded by hills, the ancient settlement is rich in architecture and culture and lies on the pilgrim path of Santiago de Compostela. Notable features include the Valentré bridge, Saint-Étienne cathedral, winding streets, opulent mansions and a beautiful traditional market. The Pont Valentré (opened 1350), with three machicolated towers, is the finest medieval fortified bridge in France.

In ancient times Cahors was a fine Gallo-Roman city, with a river bridge and an aqueduct supply fresh water. There were sumptuous villas, temples, thermal baths and a vast amphitheatre. A subsequent decline into plunder and ruination was reversed around 650 when the first cathedral was built, using reclaimed stonework. In turn, however, the city was sacked by the Moors in 732, then the Vikings then during the Magyar invasion.

In spite of these misfortunes the city remained strategically and culturally significant, was rebuilt and regained its importance. Pope John XXII, born Jacques Duèze in Cahors was elected in 1316 and was notably generous towards his birthplace. In the same era the university was created, with faculties of theology, medicine, arts and law, which latter was significant at the European level. The university was merged with that of Toulouse in 1751.

The city was English for a period from 1362, during the Hundred Years war and was captured after fierce fighting by Henri de Navarre (the future King Henri IV), on the Protestant side in the Wars of Religion, in 1580.  Thereafter Cahors continued to be commercially active, most notably for its wines that had been known from the Roman period, although they faced fierce competition from Bordeaux. The city was also a major financial and banking centre.