Rocamadour sits on a 150-metre-high cliff above the Alzou Valley. Its heights and trails offer different ways to shape your stay: the sanctuary and its pilgrimage history, the cave landscape or regional cheese culture. If you’re looking for hotels in Rocamadour, you can first consider which of these aspects interests you most; each offers a different way to get to know the place.
The sanctuary and trails through Rocamadour
The sanctuary comprises the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur, the Saint-Amadour Crypt and several chapels. The Black Madonna, also known as Notre Dame de Rocamadour, is housed in the Chapel of Notre-Dame: it is a statue made from two pieces of wood and dates from the 12th century. The Grand Staircase is the main access route to the sanctuary and has 216 steps. A spiritual and historical guided tour lasting about 1.5 hours offers a particular perspective on its history and religious significance. Dates and participation requirements may change, so check them in advance if you plan to take the tour.
The trails also have different points of interest. The Voie Sainte begins in the hamlet of L’Hospitalet and descends through the Alzou Valley to the lower town. The GR 6, or Voie de Rocamadour, is a variant of the Way of St James and passes through Rocamadour. This means you can choose between a trail with a specific starting point and destination in the town, and a pilgrimage route that passes through Rocamadour. The medieval pedestrian street has six fortified gates.
Rocky valley, Château and caves
The Château stands 80 metres above the sanctuary and overlooks the Alzou Valley. Together with the cliff above the valley, its elevated position makes the landscape an important part of the town’s character. Rocamadour is also in the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park. For visitors interested in the natural surroundings as well as the sanctuary, this protected landscape is part of what makes the destination distinctive.
The Grotte des Merveilles is a natural cave on the Rocamadour plateau, opening onto the Alzou Canyon. The Grotte Préhistorique des Merveilles contains prehistoric cave paintings dating back around 25,000 years. The Grotte des Merveilles welcomes visitors daily from Easter until the end of September. Check seasonal visitor information before your trip.
Two other attractions have their own schedules to consider when planning your visit: the funicular connects the Château car park with the sanctuaries. Its operating hours may change, so check the timetable if you plan to use it. The Festival de Rocamadour presents sacred and classical music in August. Dates and programmes vary each year.
Rocamadour AOP and cheese culture
Rocamadour AOP is a small cheese from the Causses du Quercy, made from raw, full-fat goat’s milk. At La Borie d’Imbert, visitors can take a free self-guided tour of the farm, focusing on the production of Rocamadour AOP. From 10 am to 12 noon, they can watch the cheesemakers shaping the cheese. Listed opening hours and business information may change, so check the latest details before your visit.
You can tailor your stay to your interests: the sanctuary, its chapels and trails offer a focus on religious and historical themes; the cave, valley and plateau highlight the landscape and natural surroundings; and the cheese and farm offer an insight into regional production. Each activity has its own requirements and time slots, so when planning, be sure to take the relevant visitor information into account, especially for the guided tour, cave visit and farm tour.
Discover more destinations: Grèzes, Le Boulvé, Soulomès, Montredon, Espère, Saint-Matré, Castelnau-Montratier, Saint-Jean-De-Laur
For the overview of the wider area: Lot.
