The gare SNCF is at the end of avenue Jean-Jaurès off rue du Président-Wilson. For further information on the area, make for the tourist office (July & Aug Mon–Fri 9am–6.30pm, Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–12.30pm; Sept–June Mon–Sat 9am–12.30pm & 1.30–6pm; tel 05.65.53.20.65, www.mairie-cahors.fr/Tourisme/frames.html) on place François-Mitterrand, close to the cathedral. Bicycle rental is available from Cycles 7, 417 quai de Regourd (tel 05.65.22.66.60).If pedalling is too taxing, a different and leisurely way to enjoy the spectacular views of the Lot valley between Cahors and Cajarc to the east is to take the Quercyrail tourist train, which runs vintage diesel locomotives along this otherwise redundant line. Various round trips are available, including a boat trip at Cajarc, a walk along the towpath hewn into the rock at St-Cirq-Lapopie, or a visit to the Château of Cénevières. Prices are €17–25 return, with departures from Cahors station or Capdenac. It's advisable to book in advance (tel 05.65.23.94.72). The cheapest hotel in Cahors is the basic De la Paix, place de la Halle, near the cathedral (tel 05.65.35.03.40, fax 05.65.35.40.88; under €30; closed three weeks at Christmas; restaurant from €8, closed Sun), though if you can afford it L'Escargot, at the north end of boulevard Gambetta (tel 05.65.35.07.66, fax 05.65.53.92.38; €40–55; closed last two weeks of Oct & mid-Dec–mid-Feb), offers better value for money. Near the station, De France, 252 av Jean-Jaurès (tel 05.65.35.16.76, www.hoteldefrance-cahors.fr; €40–55; closed three weeks over Christmas), is another decent option, or you could splurge out on the lovely creeper-covered Terminus, 5 av Charles de Freycinet (tel 05.65.53.32.00, www.balandre.com; €55–70), boasting the famous Le Balandre restaurant (closed Sun & Mon out of season; menus from €35). There's also a HI hostel, near the tourist office at 20 rue Frédéric-Suisse (tel 05.65.35.64.71, fax 05.65.35.95.92), and an expensive campsite (tel 05.65.30.06.30, www.cabessut.com; closed Oct–March) across Pont Cabessut. In addition to the hotel restaurants mentioned above, there's a lively brasserie, Le Bordeaux, at the top end of boulevard Gambetta (with a menu du jour at €9) while Lamparo, on the south side of the market square, is equally popular for its varied menus (from €10.90) and generous portions. Le Dousil, a wine bar just round the corner on rue Nationale (closed Mon), is a great place to sample the local reds – and it dishes up good food, too (from around €9).
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