Every year around a million and a half visitors and pilgrims flock to Rocamadour, built in a vertiginous setting against a cliff face with its houses and churches clinging against the rocks and making you marvel at how it was ever constructed. Since the 12th century, pilgrims have flocked to the shrine of Saint Amadour, often en their way to Santiago de Compostela.

They would climb the 216 stone steps on their knees to reach the ecclesiastical city with its seven chapels, including the Basilique St- Sauveur, the Chapelle de Notre-Dame devoted to the 12th century Black Madonna sculpted out of walnut wood, and the Chapelle Miraculeuse, which contains the tomb of Saint Amadour, the hermit who first lived on the site. It is no wonder that two of Rocamadour’s churches have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Also, not to be missed is the ‘Voie de Rocamadour’, an ancient pilgrimage route to Rocamadour which takes you through well-known villages such as Aubazine, Collonges la-Rouge and Martel, but also with new discoveries hidden round each bend of the path.

® Lot Tourisme C. Novello

Event

Rocamadour in August (5th – 26th August 2017)
Sublime music in a sublime setting — what better surroundings for this three-week festival of sacred music than the ancient pilgrimage destination of Rocamadour? There are around fifteen concerts by world-class artists plus musical visits and an introduction to church music for children.

In September, the village of Rocamadour welcomes the biggest hot-air balloon festival in Europe called “Les Montgolfiades”, offering the amazing sight of dozens of balloons filling the air and taking part in races.
23rd – 24th September 2017

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Specialties

“Rocamadour” is a small, flat and round, creamy cheese that is part of the ‘cabécou’ family, which means ‘little goat’ in the ancient local “langue d’Oc” language. First mentioned in the 15th century, it was in fact called ‘cabécou de Rocamadour’ before the name was shortened quite simply to ‘Rocamadour’ after village situated in the centre of the Appellation area. Very mild and creamy when young, it gets stronger and drier when allowed to mature. Rocamadour is irresistible when thickly spread on a lightly toasted piece of bread with some honey, in salads with walnuts or even warmed.
You can visit the appellation website to learn more about the AOP.

Just north of Rocamadour, you will find the ‘Borie d’Imbert’, a goat farm and dairy. You can visit the goats in their large, bright and airy stable (they’re very friendly!) and watch the production of cheese from their milk through special windows in the dairy walls.

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