Rocamadour, Medieval pilgrimage village in Lot, France
Rocamadour is a medieval pilgrimage site in the Lot department of Occitanie that spreads along a steep limestone cliff above the Alzou valley. The buildings appear stacked on top of each other, with houses, chapels, and towers built directly into the rock.
In the 12th century, this place grew into one of Europe's most important pilgrimage destinations after reports of miraculous healings drew believers from across Christendom. Kings, including Henry II of England and Louis IX of France, stopped here and contributed to the fame of the shrine.
The name Rocamadour likely comes from a hermit whose body was found here in the 12th century. Visitors today see depictions of the Black Madonna in many shops and restaurants, marking the religious heart of this place.
The climb to the sanctuaries is made either on foot via the grand staircase or by elevator, which is available for visitors with mobility issues. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as the paved paths and steps can be uneven.
The sword Durandal, said to have belonged to the knight Roland, reportedly remained embedded in the cliff face above the site for centuries. A replica now hangs at the same spot and recalls the medieval tale.
Location: Lot
Location: arrondissement of Gourdon
Elevation above the sea: 261 m
Part of: Dordogne
Shares border with: Alvignac, Calès, Couzou, Gramat, Lacave, Meyronne, Montvalent, Rignac
Address: 46500 Rocamadour, France
Phone: +33565336326
Email: mairierocamadour@orange.fr
Website: https://mairierocamadour.fr
GPS coordinates: 44.79944,1.61778
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:04
France features a notable variety of protected natural areas, showcasing the country’s geological and ecological richness. From Lake Allos in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence to the underground rivers of Padirac in Dordogne, from the mountain ranges of Savoy to the limestone formations of the Ardèche gorges, each region displays landscapes shaped over millennia of natural evolution. This collection gathers sites where nature is expressed freely: primary forests, karst systems, high-altitude lakes, moving dunes of the Atlantic coast, and rock formations carved by erosion. These areas provide diverse ecosystems, home to species adapted to different environments, from Alpine flora and fauna to dune communities and underground cave biodiversity. Each natural site in this selection serves as an open-air laboratory where geological processes, ecosystem dynamics, and living adaptation to local conditions can be observed. These sites invite discovery of authentic landscapes, removed from human impact, where geological time is evident in every rock formation and glacier valley.
French medieval locations feature architecture from the 11th to 15th centuries. Fortified walls, castles, churches and stone-paved streets define the historical urban structure. Residents maintain traditional crafts, regional cuisine and local customs. Many of these UNESCO heritage sites document important periods of French history.
Occitanie encompasses an architectural and natural heritage that reflects many centuries of history. Medieval villages are nestled in valleys and on heights, while castles and monasteries tell of the era of the Cathars and religious orders. The region also features remarkable geological formations: deep gorges, waterfalls, potholes, and caves decorated with prehistoric paintings. Among the sites to visit, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie overlooks the Lot Valley with its stone houses and narrow streets. The Peyrepertuse fortress stands at 800 meters above sea level on a rocky spur in the Corbières. The Navacelles cirque reveals a canyon carved by the Vis River, while the Gorges de la Jonte provide trails through a habitat for vultures. The Lagrasse Abbey maintains its medieval architecture on the banks of the Orbieu, and the Niaux Cave houses Magdalenian paintings dating back 14,000 years. Natural curiosities like the Gouffre de l'Oeil Doux and the intermittent Fountain of Fontestorbes complete this territory where history and geology meet.
In France, each region hides villages that seem out of time. These places are made of stone, wood, and light, where history is written on facades and in paved streets. Some are nestled in valleys, others cling to cliffs or overlook vineyards. There are old houses, squares lined with arcades, castles, Romanesque churches, and sometimes a river winding between gardens. These villages have retained the charm of their era, the slow pace of residents, and the sound of wind in shutters. From Breton granite to Alsatian half-timbered houses, from southern golden limestone to Alpine shingle roofs, each tells a way of life, a color, an accent. They form the deep face of the country, one that is only visible when taking the time to stop.
La forêt des Singes
1.5 km
Sanctuary of Rocamadour
8 m
Notre-Dame de Rocamadour
15 m
Basilique Saint-Sauveur de Rocamadour
9 m
Le rocher des aigles
499 m
Des Merveilles Cave
871 m
Gouffre du Saut de la Pucelle
4.3 km
Crypte Saint-Amadour
9 m
Moulin du Saut
4.2 km
Cave of Reveillon
4.7 km
Moulin de Cougnaguet
4.7 km
Durandal
398 m
Dolmen du Pech de Grammont
4.5 km
Néolithique dolmen sous tumulus
1.5 km
Pigeonnier de Laguille
273 m
Église de l'Hospitalet (Rocamadour)
876 m
Chapelle Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Rocamadour
17 m
Église Saint-Martin de Mayrinhac-le-Francal
4.5 km
Chapelle Saint-Michel de Rocamadour
22 m
Musée d'art sacré de Rocamadour
17 m
Chapelle Saint-Blaise de Rocamadour
5 m
Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Rocamadour
11 m
Hôpital de l'Hospitalet de Rocamadour
846 m
Grotte du Saint-Sépulcre
142 m
Porte de l'Hôpital (Rocamadour)
831 m
Lanterne des morts de Rocamadour
11 m
Palacio abacial de Rocamadour
31 m
Parvis et escaliers de la cité religieuse de Rocamadour
15 mReviews
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