Day five of the seven-day Dordogne marathon trip with my long-time friend, Julie, was one thing we looked forward to the most– Visit Rocamadour.
The village carved into a hill just before the border of Dordogne, Rocamadour, takes at least a half-day to explore. You should arrive early to catch the best view because it is east-facing. Oh well…today we took our time leaving the hotel and probably enjoyed the visit more because we were rested. There are lots of hills and steps to climb.
Visit Rocamadour
I’d often heard of Rocamadore and seen pictures, but I knew little about its history. Did you know the village’s name is “Roc-Amadore,” and it is named after Saint Amadore? Did you know that Saint Amadore was thought by many to be Zacchaeus of the Bible? Did you see a bone of Saint Amadore enshrined at the Rocamadour chapel?
That’s only the beginning of the tales and legends of the place so many have visited—the eleventh century. Rocamadour is, in fact, a pilgrim’s center.
Looking back at this trip, I wish I had taken more photos. I imagine turning them into a photo calendar, with shots of Rocamadour’s breathtaking cliffs, buildings, and winding paths. It would be a perfect way to remember all the special moments.
Admire, Contemplate, Pray
Aside from being along the trail of Compostella, Rocamadore’s holy relics attract worshippers who come to “admire,” “contemplate,” and “pray.”
“Admiring” Rocamodore is easy.
Contemplating …
“Contemplating” wasn’t easy with the crowds of people everywhere, even though vacation season was over.
Praying …
“Praying” is inevitable when you realize the importance of the shrines throughout the village.
Almost every town you visit in France has a memorial to their war dead. Rocamadour is no exception. Most remembered are the veterans of the “Great War” — World War I.
Next Time …
Rocamadour is definitely a destination I could visit over and over. From historical sites to foie gras to caves and nearby attractions in Dordogne, the hillside wonder is a place to put on your list — whether you are there to explore, learn, or simply enjoy.
Tomorrow: Market day in Sarlat.
2 Responses
If you love photography you will easily spend hours here trying to capture all the different angles. The light hits the stone buildings beautifully right around late afternoon. There is a fantastic viewpoint just across the gorge that lets you get the entire village in one frame.
Rocamadour is one of those places I want to visit again and again. I loved everything about it and still remember it well. You sound like a photographer. I’d love to see some of your photos if you’d like to share them. You can send to my email: dbine@icloud.com. Thanks so much for your note. Just keep on traveling as long, and as much, as you can! Stay tuned…