Rocamadour Sanctuary
A jewel of the Haut-Quercy region, perched on a 150-meter cliff above the Alzou valley, Rocamadour Sanctuary is a major pilgrimage site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Marian city that has attracted crowds since the 12th century!
For nearly a thousand years, pilgrims have come from around the world to journey toward the Black Virgin, Our Lady of Rocamadour! More than 1.8 million visitors pass through each year! Among countless anonymous pilgrims, there have been Henry II Plantagenet, Simon de Montfort, Blanche of Castile and her son Saint Louis IX, all the kings of France up to Louis XI, Saint Dominic, Saint Bernard, Saint Anthony of Padua, and more recently, Edmond Michelet, Francis Poulenc, and others.
Devotion to the Black Virgin of Rocamadour has made this exceptional site renowned. In the dim light of her chapel, visitors discover the modest silhouette of a Virgin who is both mother and queen. It is to her that pilgrims have addressed their prayers for eight centuries.
Retreats organized by the community
Rocamadour, one of the most beautiful villages in France
A town in the Lot department (46), located on the Way of Saint James and ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, Rocamadour owes its fame to its medieval and religious city composed of several buildings and the Grand Staircase that provides access to them.
The Chapel of Our Lady, which houses the statue of the Black Virgin, the Romanesque-Gothic basilica of Saint-Sauveur, the crypt of Saint-Amadour, and the castle built by the abbots of Tulle all contribute to making this place an emblematic site of the Dordogne valley.
This village is above all a major pilgrimage site that has welcomed numerous pilgrims since the 12th century, from anonymous visitors to European sovereigns and saints.
Access to the religious buildings is via the monumental staircase of 233 steps. Tradition was to climb it on one's knees to reach the 7 chapels, the basilica and the crypt that make up this Marian sanctuary.
History of the Marian sanctuary of Our Lady of Rocamadour
The pilgrimage to Rocamadour was first initiated by Pope Pascal's mention of "the Blessed Virgin Our Lady of Rocamadour" in the 12th century. From then on, this place was added to the list of the four Christian holy sites, along with Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela.
The abbot of Saint-Martin, Géraud d'Escorailles, then decided to build a sanctuary in 1152 to welcome the pilgrims who were coming. In 1166, the intact body of a hermit was discovered in front of the oratory of Our Lady, attributed to Saint Amadour. Finally, the book of 126 miracles written by Benedictine monks completed the renown of this pilgrimage site by recording the miracles received and attributed to the Virgin Mary. These miracles testify to Our Lady's attention to the requests made to her, ranging from healings to conversions of thieves and rescues of sailors.
In the 15th century, pilgrimages declined and the city underwent restoration work beginning in 1858, giving it a neo-Gothic style that was fashionable at the time.
What to expect during your stay
Experience a spiritual stay at Rocamadour
Each year, the Sanctuary welcomes numerous volunteers aged 18 to 30 from all over France to participate in the "ESPERE" project!
The Sanctuary welcomes volunteers throughout the year who wish to spend time in a major and exceptional pilgrimage site! The rector and those in charge of the Sanctuary are always looking, especially in summer, for people who can:
- help with the animation of the site and welcoming pilgrims
- introduce visitors to the beauty and spirituality of the site through its architecture and history thanks to the "voluntary contribution" guided tour service
- offer a few hours of service per day for the life of the Sanctuary (renovation, maintenance, cleaning)
- share fraternal times together!
Those responsible for volunteers ensure that they have a renewing and service-oriented stay. Seminarians, priests, religious sisters and brothers are also welcome as volunteers!
Geography and activities
Enjoy the exceptional heritage of the Causses du Quercy
Located in the causse de Gramat, the largest and wildest of the four causses of Quercy, the city offers a cultural and natural getaway! Not to be missed during your visit:
- The Monkey Forest which is home to free-roaming macaques
- The bird park of Rocher des Aigles which allows you to discover unique and preserved wildlife
- Walks and hikes in the Alzou valley
- The surrounding farms which can be visited and which will allow you to taste the famous PDO goat cheese of the same name, including the Borie d'Imbert farm, open free to the public to see goats, kids, billy goats, pigs and cows, as well as cheese-making.
Practical information
Discover more locations
