: Rocamadour

Rocamadour is a dramatic pilgrimage village clinging to a cliffside above the Alzou Canyon in the Lot department. An important Marian pilgrimage site since the 12th century, pilgrims climb the 216 steps (the Grand Escalier) to the sanctuary, which houses a revered Black Madonna. The village is also famous for its Cabécou goat cheese.

There is no railway station. The nearest stations are Gramat (10 km), Souillac (20 km), or Brive-la-Gaillarde (40 km). By car, the D32 and D673 connect to the A20.

Rocamadour is a vertical village. A lift, shuttle bus, and the Grand Escalier connect the three levels. The Causse landscape is best explored by car.

The pilgrimage sanctuary: Chapelle Notre-Dame (Black Madonna), Crypt of Saint-Amadour, Basilica of Saint-Sauveur. The Château at the top. The Alzou Canyon.

Climb the Grand Escalier. Rocher des Aigles (birds of prey). Forêt des Singes (Barbary macaques). Hiking the Causse de Gramat.

Foie gras, confit de canard, truffle dishes, salads with Rocamadour cheese. Cliff-edge restaurants.

Cahors Malbec wines. Walnut liqueur. Pastis.

Cliffside hotels with spectacular views. Chambres d'hôtes in the Causse. Campsites in the Alzou valley.

Rocamadour cheese (Cabécou). Cahors wine, truffles, foie gras, walnut oil.

The Dordogne valley (Sarlat, La Roque-Gageac, Domme). Gouffre de Padirac (15 km). Saint-Cirq-Lapopie.