Rocamadour is a historic town with a one-of-a-kind dramatic rock face setting.
Once one of Europe’s top pilgrimage sites, today it feels a bit more touristy than spiritual.
Still, if you can get into the medieval mindset, the town’s dramatic setting makes it worthwhile as a day trip in the Dordogne.
Rocamadour is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites as a stop on the “Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.” It also has the distinction of being listed as one of France’s “les plus beaux villages.”
The town is famous among gourmands for its eponymous Rocadamour goat’s milk cheese. In spring, the town hosts a cheese festival.
In this guide, you’ll discover all the top attractions to see in Rocamadour in one day, with a step by step itinerary.
To get the full historic backdrop, I recommend booking a guided walking tour.
Quick Tips:
- Rocamadour has 3 basic levels: the Medieval city, the Religious city, and the clifftop chateau.
- They are connected by steps, trails, and 2 elevators.
- There are free parking lots in the lower and upper towns.
- A tourist train connects the parking lot with the Medieval town.
- There’s a tourist office in the Medieval city.
- The sanctuary sites are free to visit.
Mini History Of Rocamadour: The Pilgrimage Town
So what makes Rocamadour so famous?
Rocamadour was once one of Europe’s top pilgrimage sites. All because of a 1,000 year old black statue of the Virgin Mary.
Black virgins date to the end of the pagan era. They symbolized fertility and motherhood.
126 miracles have been attributed to her over the years — mostly healing of physical ailments and disabilities. One story goes that an imprisoned knight prayed to the icon and his chains miraculously fell off.
Then, in 1166, a body was discovered beneath the troglodyte chapel. People assumed it was a hermit and gave it the name Amadour.
The place was named Rocamadour after the saint and was on the map!
The greatest pilgrims, like Richard the Lionheart, all trekked to the town. A small village sprouted up to accommodate the hoards.
Fun Fact: Not all pilgrimages were voluntary. Some were imposed by the church or courts as a punishment.
During the Age of Enlightenment, pilgrimages declined, and so did the Rocamadour. But it was reborn and restored during the Romantic Age when pilgrimages were once more in vogue.
Today, tourists come instead of pilgrims. There are only about 600 people living in the village.
One Day In Rocamadour: What To Do & See
Medieval City
Start your journey in the lower medieval city on Rue de la Couronnerie. It’s basically one long pedestrian lane that’s lined with shops and eateries.
Most of them are pretty touristy. But there are some delicious shops where you can pick up provisions for a picnic or have a snack.
Of Rocamadour’s original city gates, seven still survive.
Sanctuary | City Religieuse
To follow in the footsteps of pilgrims, climb the 216 steps of the Great Staircase. Pilgrims once ascended on their knees as penance.
If you prefer, take the lift to the next level where the sanctuaries and chapels of the Cite Religieuse complex await.
Crammed onto a ledge of a cliff, the main church, Saint Saveur, couldn’t follow the usual floor plan. So, chapels were built around the church square.
All are free to visit, including:
- Chapel of Our Lady: home to the revered Black Madonna
- Chapel of Saint Michel: adorned with 12th century frescos
- Basilica of Saint Sauveur: constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries
- Crypt of Saint Amadour: dedicated to the town’s namesake hermit
- Chapel of Sainte Anne: features a gilded altarpiece
The Chapel of our Lady is the focal point for pilgrims. You enter through a lovely Gothic portal.
This is where you’ll find the venerated (though rather crude) 12th century statue of Mary presenting her baby to the world. It’s above the altar in a wooden shrine.
The oldest thing in the chapel is the Miraculous Bell from the 9th century, which hangs from the vault. Legend holds that it announced miracles of its own accord.
Saint Saveur is a Romanesque-Gothic basilica and the main place of worship. It boasts a beautiful organ and wooden balconies that once seated monks.
The church square leads to the Palace of the Bishops, which was restored in the 19th century.
It now houses the Museum of Sacred Art, which displays regional religious artworks and special exhibits with pieces on loan from churches around the world. An odd piece was a polychrome Pieta without the figure of Jesus.
For centuries, the Durandal sword, a legendary artifact, was embedded in the rock face above Amadour’s tomb and guides would point it out to visitors.
According to legend, the ancient sword belonged to the famous knight Roland, a key figure in French medieval epic literature who is akin to England’s King Arthur.
But it mysteriously disappeared in early July 2024, and is assumed stolen. How sad.
Chateau
To get to the chateau, you walk up a long, winding ramp called the Way of the Cross.
Along the way, there are 14 stations with artworks that depict the passion of Christ. And you’ll pass by a cave called the Grotte de Saint-Amadour.
At the top, you can hammer a nail into a log to mark your ascent.
The castle itself is situated on a cliff overlooking the town. Its promontory prevented potential assailants from easily attacking the town.
You can pay a small fee to access the 14th century ramparts. From there, you’ll have magnificent views over the village and valley.
Gouffre de Padirac or Carennac
After your visit, grab a late lunch. There are not that many good choices, unfortunately and many are very touristy. I had a Rocomadour salad at the Belvedere, which had nice views.
Then, you might consider heading 20 minutes down the road to the Gouffre de Padirac.
It’s a stunning underground cave system with a navigable river. Take a boat ride through the caves and marvel at the impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
You could also visit the lovely village of Carennac, about 45 minutes away.
Carennac boasts a wealth of period architecture, including stone houses with traditional slate roofs, half-timbered structures, and beautifully preserved facades.
Practical Tips For One Day In Rocamadour
How to Get To Rocamadour
If you’re driving, park in the free lot or on the side of the road in the lower town.
if you’re coming by train, the Rocamadour-Padirac train station is about 2.5 miles from the village. You can take a taxi or a local bus to reach Rocamadour.
You can also visit on a guided day tour from Sarlat-la-Caneda.
How To Get Around Rocamadour
I walked everywhere in Rocamadour.
But if you need a bit of help for the steep ascents, there is a tourist bus to take you from the parking lot to the medieval town for a few euros. You should buy a round trip ticket.
From there, a lift takes you up to the sanctuary and castle levels.
Where To Stay Near Rocamadour
I probably wouldn’t stay in Rocamadour. But you will have the benefit of seeing it lit up at night without as many tourists.
For that, check out Hôtel Beau Site Notre Dame in the Medieval village.
Château de La Treyne is about 12 miles from Rocamadour. It’s a luxurious castle hotel set on the banks of the Dordogne River, offering elegant rooms with period furnishings and a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant.
How Long To Spend At Rocamadour
You could easily budget just half a day for Rocamadour and combine it with another cute nearby town like Martel or Carennac, as I suggest above. There’s just not that much to see really.
If so, I would do the other town first and Rocamadour later in the day. It won’t be as crowded then. If you stay for dinner, you’ll see the town beautifully lit up at night.
Is Rocamadour Worth Visiting?
I think it’s worth visiting just to see the dramatic town carved into the cliff. It’s so unusual, with a Game of Thrones vibe.
But Rocamadour is very touristy. And the religious sites are not that impressive really, nothing to write home about at all. It’s really the setting that is stunning.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best things to do in Rocamadour in one day. You may find these other southern France travel guides useful:
- 10 day itinerary for southern France
- 1 week Dordogne itinerary
- Hidden gems in Provence
- Hilltop villages of the Luberon Valley
- Historic landmarks in southern France
- Beautiful villages in the Dordogne
- Beautiful villages in Occitanie
- One day in Avignon itinerary
- One day in Sarlat-la-Caneda
- One day in Toulouse itinerary
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