Rocamadour clings to a sheer cliff face above the Alzou gorge in the Lot region of France, its sanctuaries built into the living rock. For a thousand years, pilgrims have climbed the 216 steps of the Great Stairway on their knees to venerate the mysterious Black Madonna in the Chapel of Our Lady.
📜 History & Significance
The origins of Rocamadour are shrouded in legend. When a perfectly preserved body was discovered beneath the chapel threshold in 1166, it was identified as St. Amadour—said by some to be Zacchaeus the tax collector who followed Christ, by others to be a hermit who carved the Black Madonna. The discovery sparked a pilgrimage that drew kings, saints, and commoners alike.
Henry II of England, St. Louis, St. Dominic, and St. Bernard all made the pilgrimage. At its height, Rocamadour ranked with Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago, and Canterbury as a major destination, its miraculous healings recorded in the Livre des Miracles.
🥾 Route Overview
Several historic routes lead to Rocamadour. The most significant approaches come from the Via Podiensis (Le Puy Route to Santiago), which passes nearby, and from Figeac (60 km) through the Célé Valley. The GR 6 and GR 46 hiking trails provide marked paths.
The pilgrimage traditionally concludes with the climb up the 216 steps of the Great Stairway, which penitents ascended on their knees while praying. At the top, pilgrims enter the sacred precinct with its seven chapels carved into the cliff.
☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites
Chapel of Our Lady - The heart of the sanctuary, housing the 12th-century Black Madonna and the legendary miracle bell that rings of its own accord when sailors are saved at sea.
Basilica of St. Saviour - The largest of the seven chapels, with its Romanesque portal and ancient frescoes.
St. Michael's Chapel - Built into the rock face with remarkable 12th-century frescoes of the Annunciation and Visitation.
The Sword of Roland - Embedded in the cliff near St. Michael's Chapel, legend claims it was hurled here by the hero of Roncevaux.
📚 Further Reading
Curated resources to help you research and plan your pilgrimage on the Rocamadour Pilgrimage.
