Happy Anniversary (almost)

A British travel blog says that 2006 will be a great year to visit Cahors, as this is the 700th Anniversary of the city's mediaeval fortified bridge le Pont Valentré. "There will doubtless be many festivities to mark the occasion." Hold your horses. It seems that the consuls made the decision to build the bridge in 1306, but the first stone wasn't laid until 1308. The bridge was completed between 1355 and 1378 (depending on when you declare it finished).

No one seems to know what this year's festivities will be. In fact, la Mairie has just posted a Web contact form for all and sundry to make suggestions, so the real fireworks may be a couple of years off. Nevertheless, the bridge itself has been lovingly restored recently and is definitely worth a visit, even if you don't buy the stories about the pact with the devil which was required to get the job done (all but one stone of it).