Rocamadour
Rocamadour has been attracting pilgrims from around the world since the Middle Ages. It is the second most visited tourist attraction in France after Mont-Saint-Michel.
Rocamadour on the Pilgrim Route to Santiago de Compostela
The medieval village is at the heart of the Regional Natural Park des Causses du Quercy. It clings to the side of the cliff 150m above the Vallée de l’Alzou in a beautiful, rugged, unspoilt environment.
The holy village is a dizzy cascade of houses and chapels set against the rock with a château at the top. It attracts a huge number of visitors and pilgrims every year, and is a pilgrimage centre for the Black Madonna, venerated throughout the world. Rocamadour remains an essential stopover on the Pilgrim Route to Santiago de Compostela.
Rocamadour : 7 sanctuaries and a breathtaking view !
Once they have climbed the 216 steps of the Grand Escalier, visitors and pilgrims discover the emblematic heart of the village and the seven sanctuaries of Rocamadour, including the Chapel of Notre-Dame, Saint Sauveur’s Basilica and the Chapel of Saint Michel. The latter along with the Saint-Amadour Crypt are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Chapel of Notre-Dame or Chapel of Miracles houses the famous Black Madonna, a 12th century wooden statue whose colour remains a mystery. Another curiosity in this chapel is the sword Durandal, planted in the rock above the door by Roland after the defeat of Roncevaux. The most intrepid visitors can continue along the Way of the Cross up to the château and admire the amazing view from the top.
Note that lifts run up and down the valley to the top of Rocamadour. There is also a little tourist train every 15 minutes from the car parks in the valley with commentaries in several languages.
Rocamadour : a host of activities : hot-air ballooning, animal parks, equestrian shows
Don’t miss the Montgolfiades, a 2-day annual event offering the magical sight of about thirty hot-air balloons taking to the air in the morning and evening. There is no finer place to watch this multi-coloured spectacle than against the backdrop of the Vallée de l’Alzou dominated by the village of Rocamamdour.
Rocamadour is also a paradise for animals with the Forêt des Singes and its 150 barbary apes living in the wild, the Rocher des Aigles and its Ecopark devoted to birds and birds of prey, the Ferme de la Borie d’Imbert where you can watch the goats being milked and famous Rocamadour AOP (PDO) cheese being made along a discovery trail with information boards, and the Maison des Abeilles, an unusual exhibition about the life of domestic bees and bee keeping.
And finally, the unmissable equestrian show at the Parc de Durandal offers memorable moments for all the family in a lovely shaded park ! Stunts, fights, colourful figures… an enchanting trip to a land of mythical battles and famous warriors to delight all the family.
Festival de Rocamadour
Let’s not forget the Festival de Rocamadour which organises concerts at the heart of the village every year. More than 200 artists are invited to take part in over 50 performances at the instigation of Festival Director Emmanuel Rollin. Truly magical musical moments in magnificent settings !
There is a lot of accommodation near Rocamadour just waiting for you !
Discover the Lot with Gîtes de France Lot : Cahors, Gouffre de Padirac, Grotte du Pech Merle (Cabrerets)"
