Everything French Travel Magazine November 2013 | Page 57

Rocamadour
Rocamadour is a town perched high on a
rocky plateau overlooking the Alzou Valley. It
is estimated that the town receives 1.5 million
visitors each year and is a major point on the
religious pilgrimage route.
For pilgrims Rocamadour's is important for
The Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour or
Sanctuaries which is, a complex of religious
structures that are set halfway down the cliff
and centred on a statue of the Virgin Mary
(Black Madonna) and the tomb of an ancient
saint, St. Amadour.
History
According to the legend, Rocamadour is
named after the founder of the ancient
sanctuary, Saint Amator the tax collector of
Jericho mentioned in Luke 19:1-10, and the
husband of St. Veronica, who wiped Jesus'
face on the way to Calvary.
This legend has been disputed by historians,
however it is known that Rocamadour was
first mentioned in the texts of Pope Gregory
VII as one of the four main pilgrimage sites in
the Middle Ages along with Rome, Jerusalem
and Compostela.
In 1160 the construction of the Sanctuary of
the Black Madonna commenced, it is reputed
that the statue of the Black Madonna was
carved by St Amadour.
The Discovery of St. Amadour, perfectly
preserved body was discovered in 1166 and
as a result thousands of pilgrims flock to the
shrine to worship the saint.
The 13th century was a golden age for
Rocamadour with Kings and Nobility visiting
the site on pilgrimage.
The body of St. Amadour was burned by the
Huguenots during the religious wars in 1562
and Rocamadour slipped into recline. After
the French Revolution in the late 1700’s
Rocamadour was left in ruins and deserted.
Restored in modern times Rocamadour is
now the spiritual centre of the diocese of
Cahors and, once again, is a significant town
on the pilgrim route. Rocamadour is also a
major tourist destination in France.

Things to See and Do
Sanctuaries

These are a series of 12th to 14th century
chapels that are halfway down the cliff. The
Sanctuaries hold the town’s most important
relics. There are 216 steps leading down the
Grand Escalier, stairway, which pilgrims climb
on their knees.
Black Madonna (Vierge Noir)
The famous Black Madonna is one of the two
most significant relics in Rocamadour. The
statue is housed in the Chapelle Notre Dame
which is part of the Sanctuaries.
Chapelle Miraculese
The Chapelle Miraculeuse contains the Tomb
of St. Amadour, who is said to have carved
out of an hermitage in the rock. Hanging from
the roof is one of the oldest known clocks,
which dates to the 8th century.
Basilique St-Sauveur
The Basilique St-Sauveur was built in the
Romanesque-Gothic style from the 11th to
the 13th centuries. It's decorated with
paintings and inscriptions recalling visits of
celebrated persons, including Philippe the
Handsome.
Chapelle St-Michel
A 12th-century Romanesque chapel is
sheltered by an overhanging rock; inside are
well-preserved frescoes dating from the 12th
century. Outside there is a courtyard where
there is a broken sword said to be a fragment
of Durandal, once wielded by the hero
Roland, one of Charlemagne great warriors.

Rocamadour Goats Cheese
Rocamadour Goats Cheese is produced in
this area and is a delighful cheese that
comes in small discs. Named Cabécous it
has an AOC (appellation d'origine contrôlée)
designation.
Rocamadour is usually sold very young after
just 12-15 days of aging and is customarily
consumed on hot toast or in salads.

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