Rocamadour

The historic village of Rocamadour clings to a cliffside overlooking the Alzou River gorge. In addition to being a popular tourist spot, Rocamadour is a pilgrimage site on the Santiago de Compostela route. This 500-mile pilgrimage, undertaken by Christians since the Middle Ages, is an act of devotion where they visit key religious sites along the way. Today, the route draws people for religious, spiritual, and personal reasons. In Rocamadour, the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary and its "Black Madonna" are the main draw.

Rocamadour is adorned with exceptional medieval architecture. The Château de Rocamadour and the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur are two of the many architectural marvels in the village.

The village has three distinct levels. At the pinnacle is the Chateau, where one can access the ramparts and get incredible views of the village, the river, and the surrounding countryside. From there, you can walk down to the second level, visiting a series of small structures that illustrate the stages of Christ's passion. At the end of your pilgrimage, you find a pillared cave representing the resurrection. At the end of this route, you see the Basilica and Sanctuary allowing you to commune with the Black Madonna.

A series of steep steps leads down to the lowest level, which serves tourists with restaurants, gift shops, and snack bars. A regular tourist train squeezes through the narrow streets, taking visitors on trips to see the village and access the scenic viewpoints. 

Update: As of September 2024, the train had been discontinued, as the operator has died, and no one had yet taken his place.