Valentré Bridge hosted a Technical Day on 15 October

A Technical Day devoted to Valentré Bridge (Pont Valentré) took place in Cahors on 15 October 2026, linking the medieval monument's history with its planned restoration. Organised by the Association Française de Génie Civil with Cahors city heritage officials and the Le Pont colloquium, the programme included a guided visit to the bridge.

Technical Day examined Valentré Bridge on 15 October

The event opened at the Chai in Cahors before moving through talks on the bridge's history, its structural condition and the restoration programme. The AFGC programme for 15 October listed contributions from Laure Courget, heritage director for the city, architect Stéphane Thouin and Jean-Pierre Alaux of the Fondation du Patrimoine.

The programme also included a discussion and a guided visit at 11.15am, followed by a river departure from the bridge. For students attending the conferences, the organiser specified free admission by reservation. The day therefore connected technical presentations with a direct look at the monument and its setting above the Lot.

Restoration plans meet a medieval bridge

Construction began in 1308, and the bridge was in use by about 1385, according to the event material. Its stone structure measures 172 metres in length and includes six arches and three towers rising more than 40 metres above the river. The bridge follows a pronounced humpback profile, particularly towards the eastern bank.

The monument entered the first list of French Historic Monuments in 1840. A major restoration carried out between 1879 and 1882 was led by architect Paul Gout, while a small devil sculpture was later placed on the central tower in connection with the local bridge legend. The current programme addresses degraded or missing sections while seeking to preserve the structure's authenticity.

This combination of a restoration presentation and a guided crossing made the 15 October programme more than a general heritage meeting: it placed the technical questions directly alongside the arches, towers and river setting that define the monument. The bridge has been pedestrianised since 1995 and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

How Cahors presents its bridge to visitors

The bridge remains one of Cahors's principal historic landmarks on the Lot. The official Cahors tourism history page places it within the city's medieval landscape and records the long restoration project planned for 2026 to 2031.

The bridge is also illuminated in different colours during the year. That established lighting practice gives the monument a changing evening appearance, while the daytime structure remains defined by its limestone arches, fortified towers and pedestrian route across the river.

Visiting Valentré Bridge: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Technical Day took place at Valentré Bridge in Cahors on 15 October 2026, with the programme beginning at the Chai before the guided visit.
• The listed programme included a guided visit at 11.15am and a subsequent river departure. Student attendance at the conferences was specified as by reservation.
• The bridge is in Cahors, France, on the Lot River and forms part of the UNESCO-listed Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.
• The site is pedestrianised, and the structure has six arches, three towers and a pronounced humpback profile.

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Frequently asked questions about Valentré Bridge

When did the Technical Day take place at Valentré Bridge?

The Technical Day took place on 15 October 2026 in Cahors and included talks, a guided visit and a river departure.

What restoration work is planned for Valentré Bridge?

The restoration programme addresses degraded or missing sections while aiming to preserve the monument's authenticity.

Where is Valentré Bridge and how do you get there?

It stands on the Lot River in Cahors, France, where it forms part of the city's medieval heritage and is pedestrianised.