Rocamadour, the sacred city of the Lot, which hides many wonders

To reach the start, head towards the hamlet of L'Hospitalet, 46500 Rocamadour, and park in car park P1 at the entrance to the hamlet (paid parking).

(S/E) Leave the car park and head left onto the D673, walking on the left-hand pavement. Walk past Restaurant l’Estanquet and continue along the pavement to Restaurant Le Bellevue. Cross the road carefully to reach the Belvédère, which offers an exceptional view of the village of Rocamadour.

(1) From the viewpoint, head right to go round the hotel, then turn left onto the steeply descending Voie Sainte. Pass through the Porte de l’Hôpital and continue down the hill to the stop sign at the junction with Rue de la Cité. Head south-west to enter the village of Rocamadour and arrive in front of the Porte du Figuier.

(2) Go through the gate to walk along Rue Roland le Preux. Stay on this street until you reach Porte Hugon (also known as Porte du Haut de Coustalou). Then retrace your steps and continue to the stairs opposite a grocery shop.

(3) Turn left to take the Grand Escalier. (Please note, there are 216 steps to climb!). Follow the path, pass through the Porte Sainte to reach the site of the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur.

(4) After visiting the site, leave the basilica via the vaulted passage and head north-east. Continue to the signpost.

(5) Turn left onto the steep Way of the Cross leading up to Rocamadour Castle. After several hairpin bends, cross the ramparts to arrive in front of the castle.

(6) After visiting the castle, go through the gate in the ramparts and turn right to walk along the ramparts on your right. At the junction with the D673, continue north-east and walk on to reach the hamlet of L’Hospitalet, in front of L’Hospitalet Church.

(7) At the roundabout, turn left towards the Gouffre de Padirac. Stay on the D673 in this direction to reach car park P1 (S/E).

Drinking fountains and picnic tables along the route.
For those unable to climb the grand staircase, there is a lift to reach the basilica

(1) Rocamadour viewpoint.

(2) A tour of the medieval town with its fortified gates, narrow streets and half-timbered houses.

(3) The climb up the ramparts to the Cross of Jerusalem for a breathtaking panorama.

(4) The sanctuary of Rocamadour and its treasures. It is impossible to visit Rocamadour without climbing the Grand Escalier, which leads to the churches and chapels. The 216 steps lead up to a forecourt where the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur, the Crypt of Saint-Amadour and several chapels carved into the rock stand in a row, including the one housing the famous Black Madonna. This wooden statuette, the ultimate destination for pilgrims for 1,000 years, is said to have performed numerous miracles.
The interiors of these religious buildings are well worth a visit, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles. Their architectural features and the treasures they contain bear witness to the devotion surrounding this sacred site. The sweeping view of the Alzou Canyon from the esplanade is spectacular.