Cliffside medieval village with ancient chapels and a revered Black Madonna statue. Climb 216 steps to explore religious sites and taste local AOC goat cheese.
Rocamadour, a medieval village in southwestern France, clings to the side of a limestone cliff. Visitors climb 216 steps to reach ancient chapels, including one housing the revered Black Madonna statue. From the village, you can gaze out over the Alzou canyon and explore winding streets filled with shops selling local AOC goat cheese. Rocamadour's dramatic setting in the Dordogne Valley and rich religious history make it a compelling stop for many travelers.
Cliffside Village Layout
Rocamadour perches on a 150-meter limestone cliff face above the Alzou River canyon. The village spreads across three levels - shops and homes at the bottom, religious sanctuaries in the middle, and a castle at the top. A single main street, Rue de la Couronnerie, winds through the lower town. As you walk through Rocamadour, you'll catch views of the surrounding Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park, with its limestone plateaus and deep valleys.
Chapels and Religious Sites
Halfway up the cliff, you'll find the religious sanctuary containing seven chapels built between the 12th and 14th centuries. The Chapel of Our Lady houses the Black Madonna - a dark wooden statue of the Virgin Mary from the 12th century. You can also visit the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St. Sauveur and the Saint-Michel Chapel, known for its colorful frescoes. To reach these sites, climb the 216 steps of the Grand Escalier, following in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims.
Local Cuisine
Rocamadour lends its name to an AOC-protected goat's milk cheese. This small, creamy cheese complements the local Malbec wines. While exploring the village, you can taste other regional specialties like walnut cake, foie gras, and lamb raised on the surrounding limestone plateaus. Restaurants along the main street serve these dishes, and you can purchase products from small shops and nearby farms.
Pilgrimage History
Rocamadour became a Christian pilgrimage site in the 12th century. Legend tells of Saint Amadour, a hermit who lived and died here in the 1st century AD. The discovery of his preserved body in 1166 turned Rocamadour into a major destination. Pilgrims, including Kings Henry II of England and Louis IX of France, came to pray at the Black Madonna statue, believing it could perform miracles.
Visiting Rocamadour
You can reach Rocamadour by car or train, with the nearest station being Rocamadour-Padirac, about 160 km north of Toulouse. July and August see the most visitors, while spring and fall offer milder weather and smaller crowds. For a calmer experience, explore the narrow streets and enjoy the views early in the morning or in the evening.
