Rocamadour
Vallée de la Dordogne
Castles of Dordogne valley
Gouffre de Padirac, D.BUTAYE - SES de Padirac
As you go round a bend in the road, Rocamadour looms before you. Whether it's day or night you're bound to be blown away. The vertical village, built in a series of stages on the clifftop, hangs 150m above the Alzou canyon. The houses, rocks and churches all look like they're part of the rock.
This village with a population of 630 is one of the most visited sites in France. You enter the village through the fortified Figuier gateway before going along Rocamadour's only street, the bustling Rue de la Couronnerie lined with shops and restaurants. Walk or take a ride up to the château at the top overlooking Rocamadour. You'll have sweeping views of the town from the top of the belvedere.
Rocamadour
Did you know?
The area in and around Rocamadour is classed as the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park listed as a UNESCO World Geopark.
Head for Rocamadour and the Dordogne Valley, Grand Site Occitanie, with top tips from Romain and Adrien Castagné, two restaurant owners from the Lot.
Travel by train and car
Discover Rocamadour and Dordogne valley by train and car with the Occitanie Rail Tour, on Causses du Quercy line.
Rocamadour was first and foremost a pilgrimage hotspot. The village is home to the relics of Saint Amadour and was the revered sanctuary for the Black Madonna.
Pilgrims came from all over Europe to pray here from the 12th century. Like them, go up the great staircase's 216 steps to the Sanctuary's esplanade where you'll find 8 churches and chapels built on the cliffside. Must-sees: Notre-Dame Chapel and its statue of the Black Madonna, a small black wooden silhouette from the 12th century with an impressive halo.
Rocamadour
Don't miss
Go 103m underground! Padirac Cave is one of the greatest geological curiosities in France. Gaze at its vast galleries and huge concretions by boat or on foot.
It takes less than half an hour to reach the Dordogne Valley from Rocamadour. From Sousceyrac in the east to Souillac in the west (approx. 60km), follow the twists and turns lined with cliffs and a thick leafy curtain dotted with sandy islands and quiet little pebble beaches.
The Dordogne is rich in flora and fauna and the only river in France whose basin is listed as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. You can swim in its clear water, go fishing, canoeing or have a walk or bike ride on the banks.
Dordogne valley
You don't need to leave your natural haven to visit the magical Dordogne Valley villages: Bretenoux, a lovely 13th century bastide; Saint-Céré overlooked by Château de Saint-Laurent-les-Tours which is home to the Jean Lurçat Museum and not forgetting Souillac and Gramat.
You'll also fall in love with the villages listed as some of the most beautiful in France: Autoire, Loubressac, Martel and its medieval houses, Carennac (visit Château des Doyens, Saint-Pierre Church and its cloister).
Other must-sees: the castles of Montal and Castelnau-Bretenoux.
Carennac
Expert's tip
The Dordogne is a must-see canoeing spot in the south of France. Follow Cathy, our Lot Tourism expert: she gives you her tips for a magical canoeing experience between Gluges and Pinsac (19 km of happiness!).
Regional Committee for Tourism and Leisure Occitanie
Others websites
How to get there?
Rocamadour and the Dordogne Valley are in the Lot department in the northern Occitania region 165km from Toulouse.
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