Rocamadour, a medieval citadel built into the cliff face, was built and maintained around a legend dating back to the year 1000. A true jewel surrounded by greenery, not to be missed in the Dordogne.
Rocamadour, a medieval citadel built into the cliff face, was built and maintained around a legend dating back to the year 1000. A true jewel surrounded by greenery, not to be missed in the Dordogne.
Rising majestically above the Dordogne valley, Rocamadour offers visitors a feat of architecture, with its houses overlooked by a vast castle from which, 150 metres below, you can see the Alzou meander by. A place of pilgrimage since the 12th century, and a stopover on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, it is a place of veneration for the Black Madonna and the tomb of Saint Amadour.
But why? Legend has it that the hermit Zacchaeus came here to retire to a cave. Feeling lonely, he carved a 70 cm statue of the Virgin from a single oak or walnut trunk.
But let's get back to the origin of the legend. It was while climbing another tree many years earlier that Zacchaeus, desperate to catch a glimpse of Jesus Christ on his journey to Jerusalem via Jericho, was called out to by God's messenger.
This one then said, “Come down quickly. Today, I must stay in your house”. Highly honored, Zacchaeus pledged to donate half his possessions to the poor and, if he wronged anyone, to make reparation 4 times over. As a reward for this charitable commitment, Jesus healed Veronica, the hermit's wife, who became one of his fervent disciples. She was even one of the few women to follow Christ all the way to his crucifixion (during which she is said to have wiped the sweat from his face).
Her Christian fidelity made her and Zacchaeus prisoners, before, years later, the wife became St. Veronica on her death in Bordeaux, and the hermit built an altar to the Virgin on the Rocamadour rock where he died.
However, there are no historical records to substantiate this hypothesis. It is said that a hermit did actually live in a cave here, but his identity was never discovered. Was Zaccheus Saint-Amadour?
From this legend follows the formation over the years of Rocamadour. A small sanctuary had been built and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In 1166, the intact body of Saint-Amadour was found and sanctified and the sculpture of the Black Virgin was found. Moreover, several miracles are credited to this place.
As the years go by and the site gets bigger. Seven chapels are added and today make up the medieval city.
To access it, there are "only" 216 steps to climb, and for the most fervent, on their knees. Traders flock from all sides, as well as inhabitants. Houses were built on several levels, and each quarter was enclosed by a fortified door. Finally, the castle was built on the heights of the city, projecting its shadow on the visitors.
From day to night, Rocamadour reveals a different face. Admire the village from afar, and you will see that it is carved into three levels. On the first level, restaurants and houses. The second is the grouping of the chapels and the basilica. And to finish off your day, you can visit on the third level, the remains of the fort and the ramparts, while having a direct view over the Alzou river.
At night, Rocamadour reveals itself differently. Imagine walking at nightfall, a light breeze in the air, crossing the maze of stone paths, passing through the illuminated sanctuaries and the groups of pilgrims passing through, on their way to Santiago de Compostela. A peaceful walk, far from the busy souvenir shops and restaurants that are now closed and the numerous tourists who are probably already asleep.
The sacred city of Rocamadour has not finished to amaze you, by the beauty of the region and by the architecture and vestiges of the city.
A must-see among all the wonders of the region: the Gouffre de Padirac, this natural cavity and its 55 km long underground river.
It's not surprising that the site is one of the most visited in France, along with the Eiffel Tower and Mont-Saint-Michel.
Find out more about Rocamadour
Aphélie from Comme des Français
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