Gourdon (population 4,222) is a commune in the North West of the Lot department in South Western France. It is the capital of the Bouriane, the natural region of Quercy which extends to the Dordogne river.

Located on a high (284m) sandstone hill, the historic centre of Gourdon is a natural defensive site. In medieval times it had a castle, a dungeon, a keep, fortified houses, towers and watch-turrets and was protected by a curtain wall and a ditch. Amongst other attacks over the centuries, Gourdon was taken following a siege by the army of Richard Coeur de Lion in 1189.  Richard was to be wounded in the shoulder by a crossbow bolt during the siege of Châlus in 1199.  The wound became gangrenous and he died. Legend has it that the crossbowman was one Bertrand de Gourdon.

Given its charming backdrop of medieval lanes, gateways, half-timbered houses, turrets, pointed arches and mullioned windows it is no surprise that Gourdon hosts  an annual Festival des Médiévales (end of July) with participants in medieval dress.

Across the street from Valentines there is a beautiful medieval mansion with pointed arches and mullioned windows.