Only 1.5hrs away from our hometown, Limoges, Rocamadour is a good plan for a long weekend. It is a small village in the south-central France, a UNESCO world heritage site and a pilgrimage (religious site) since the medieval ages by kings, bishops and nobles.
The village on the cliff is very well preserved even after the world wars and revolutions. It’s best point of interest is the ancient pilgrim (and miraculous) church of Notre Dame which houses the wooden black madonna statue revered to be carved by St. Amator himself.
For French literature and history fanatics, around the wall close to the pilgrim church of Notre Dame you will see the alleged sword mark and fragment of the “Durandal” when the hero Roland (of Charlemagne) came in the site as a pilgrim. Pretty awesome, ei?!
With our two boys (aged 1 and 3 then), we ventured off for a long weekend and stayed for two nights at a family-friendly and right-at-the-center hotel, Le Relais Amadourien. We have planned our itinerary based on access from the hotel for the three-days-stay. Scroll below for photos of these top places to see and do in and around Rocamadour.
(1) The view of Rocamadour religious site from the panorama terrace of the center. Down the valley is the now dried up river of Rocamadour.
(2) Rocher des Aigles – an hour show (shows are scheduled after every hour) which not only showcases the flights of majestic eagles but of other birds of prey such as vultures and falcons; and ending the show with the row of colorful parrots frolicking about at their carers’ cues. Great for kids and also educational for adults.
The view from our family room at Le Relais Amadourien, promoted as an “eco-friendly” hotel. It has a queen bed and a bunk bed which is perfect for our two boys. The room is well spaced with its clean private bath/toilet – the only irony is the use of plastic cup in the washroom, glass would have been better and eco-friendly.
(3) Above the valley, after a flight of stairs following the pilgrimage route, is Le Château de Rocamadour – provides a lovely view of village from its terrace. Note that it closes after 6PM so better come early to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Rest place with a view – the village is hanging by the cliff and the ancient way to go around it is by walking up and down its flight of stairs (altho there is a lift on the mid part of the cliff to help people who gets tired or can’t go further on thru the stairs, except for pilgrims). Since we have kids and a stroller, we wavered thru its stairs from up the valley down where there are now converted restaurants and shops.
(4) The Miraculous Chapel – where the Black Madonna statue carved in a wood by St. Amadour itself is placed at the altar. Miracles of fertility were the usual registered miracles from its historical records and from our visit we saw mostly couples visiting the chapel. There are other chapels around Cité Réligious complex of Rocamadour including the Crypt of Saint Amadour.
(5) Cité Réligieuse de Rocamadour – awe-inspring place, gave me goosebumps how tranquil and how it amazingly sat at the cliff since medieval ages. When you reach this site, you are already midway from the trekking that great staircase.
The miraculous Black Madonna of Rocamadour, believed to be carved by St. Amadour before his death close to the chapel.
Inside the miraculous chapel you will be welcomed by surrounding shelves of lit candles, as sign of prayers from pilgrims and miracle-wishers. The feeling inside the chapel is surreal, peaceful and calm, even my 3yr old was quiet looking about.
Taken from the side of Le Lion D’Or Hotel and its seemingly tourist-popular restaurant just across it. The view up is where the cité réligieuse is hanging by.
(6) Gouffre de Padirac (Padirac Cave) – an hour drive from Rocamadour, this cave is the largest underground cave in Europe, 100meters deep. It has an underground river which is traversed via boat, a great spectacle of nature via thousands years of formation.
At the end of the river cruise within the cave system, tourists can marvel the deepest site of the cave with its glorious stalactites and stalagmites from thousands of years ago.
(7) La Forêt des Singes – monkey (macaques) forest where they roam and live “free” within this huge forest. All guests are given a handful of popcorns which can be fed to the monkeys, in addition to their veggies and fruits diet around the forest. The kids loved this experience!
The monkeys were all healthy, not one did I see a thin one. They are fed well if not much, and looking content. No aggressive behaviour either, most of the monkeys were huge but they were amazingly calm – I get nervous everytime our kids would hand some popcorn but all were so chill, taking the popcorn from the hand and just went back to what s/he is doing unless handed another popcorn again -no waiting or begging. Humans can learn from animals indeed.
The view from our room looking out below at the breakfast area of the hote. The breakfast spread could be improved tho, i.e. more bread selections.
This is a restaurant across our hotel, tourist-trap. Diners were mostly tourists outside France, hence the price and the quality isn’t at par. If you can walk around further, there are more restaurant options in the vicinity.
Although the diners were mostly non-French tourists, the quality of food and their menu selectios were very good. The service is fast and friendly too, space within maybe too intact but that can be compensated with the food and wine offers.
There is another show that is neatly popular in Rocamadour, that is (8) Parc Durandal. Unfortunately, during our visit (late September) the show is not available – apparently it is on show during the summer holidays only.
I have failed to take photos of the other restaurant we dined in for lunch, Au Panorama. Although the name suggest it will have a panaromaic view of the village, it directly doesn’t have. The terrace platform across the road/in front of the restaurant is where you can have the panoramic view. Speaking of the food and service, okayish. Their confit de canard is a tad bit dry.
Rocamadour is a stunning village and a nice weekend trip for families or not. Come when you can.
NOMADIC PURSUITS 