Rocamadour, Dordogne

Description: This is France’s second most visited tourist attraction after Le Mont St-Michel. A magical town with golden houses clinging to the side of a cliff over the Alzou canyon, it is a holy shrine…..which makes it rather sad in some ways because it is so incredibly overrun by tourists and the paraphenalia that they inevitably attract. Nevertheless it is a must see attraction due to its unique location / character.

 

Location: In the east Dordogne, about 50km from Sarlat.

General Info: Park in one of the large car parks at the top of the town.  Website. Pilgrimage website.

Our recommendations: Try to get there very early before the tourists arrive, or in the evening when the atmosphere is best and the crowds are starting to thin. Stop at L’Hospitalet to take photos of the village.

For the children: Nearby are the Gouffres du Padirac  – more caves with a boat ride through them – also very busy and requiring an early arrival!  Go there first and then to Rocamadour later in the day, or alternatively visit the nearby Corn Maze in Creysse.

 

Here’s more information to make the most of your visit to the Dordogne: