Barbican Of Cahors, Ancient Mediaevel Town, France Royalty-Free Stock Photography

A photograph showing the military defensive architecture of the fortress or barbican, part of the fortification at La Barre, in the ancient medieval town of Cahors, located in the south west of France. Cahors has had a rich history since Celtic times. The original name of the town was Divona or Divona Cadurcorum, Divona of the Cadurci, a Celtic people of Gaul before the Roman conquest in the 50s BC. Cahors derives from Cadurcorum. It has declined economically since the Middle Ages, and lost its university in the 18th century. Today it is a popular tourist centre with people coming to enjoy its mediaeval quarter and the 14th-century fortified Valentré bridge. It is the seat of the Diocese of Cahors. Today Cahors is perhaps best known as the centre of the famous AOC 'black' wine known since the Middle Ages and exported via Bordeaux, long before that region had developed its own viniculture industry.