Rocamadour
A pilgrimage town clinging vertically to the 120-meter cliffs of a canyon, with seven chapels and a Black Madonna statue. The scenery is breathtaking.
Rocamadour was one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in medieval France and an important stop on the Way of St. James. The village is built in three tiers into the limestone cliffs of the Alzou Canyon. The lowest level is the only medieval main street. A 216-step Pilgrims' Staircase climbs to the sanctuary area, where the Chapel of Our Lady houses a 12th-century Black Madonna statue, and where Roland's legendary sword, Durendal, is lodged in the rock wall. The top tier holds the castle and its ramparts. The best viewpoint is across the valley in the village of L'Hospitalet, especially beautiful in the evening and at night when the lights come on. Inclined elevators and a cable car connect the tiers, for a fee. Rocamadour is about 50 kilometers from Sarlat, roughly one hour by car.
Opening hours
Village open all day; sanctuary approx. 08:00–19:00
Nearby sights
- Grottes de Lacave
- Gouffre de Padirac
- Autoire
- Collonges-la-Rouge
- Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac
- Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
- Domme
- Sarlat Cathedral & Lanterne des Morts