Rocamadour

Rocamadour is located in the department of the Lot and the Midi-Pyrenees area. The inhabitants are Amadouriens.

According to Gaston Bazalgues, the name Rocamadour is a medieval form which originates in Rocamajor. Roca indicated a rock shelter and major evoked his importance. This name was christianized as from 1166 with the invention of Amadour Saint or Saint Amateur.

The church Saint-Sauveur and the crypt of Saint-Amadour is classified with the world heritage of the humanity, within the framework of the Ways of Saint Jacques de Compostelle. This is one of the most visited sites France with more 1,5 million visitors per annum. After the Mount-Saint-Michel, the Eiffel Tower and the castle of Versailles. This tourist designation was a true success worthy of greatest advertising successes, at the moment when, lasting the post-war period, the city sought to develop its site rather than its pilgrimage.

" The cave of Merveilles" was discovered on October 16, 1920 is classified Historic building on May 16, 1925. It is opened on Causse of Rocamadour, vast calcareous plate corroded by the flow of subterranean water. The continual action of the water since several thousands years papered the cave of pretty concretions and gours, where myriads of stalactites are reflected which, to the liking of lightings, become statues, mountains or peninsula. But the strong point of your visit will be your meeting with the art of the paleolithic superior.

With the Rock of the Eagles, vultures, condor, eagles, falcons, macaws, cockatoo and other parrots, evolve in complete freedom during more than one hour above the canyon of Rocamadour and your filled with wonder eyes. We present to you a spectacle of parrots in coasting flight with several species reproduced in captivity and originating in various continents, to sensitize you with the problems involved in the destruction of the wet tropical forests and equatorial.

Vestige of a fort of XIVth century, intended to protect the sanctuary. These ramparts in overhang a splendid panorama appears on the canyon of Alzou and the site.

Enter the fascinating world of the bees, come to discover their lifestyle within the framework of a museum living exceptional… attend the astonishing spectacle by the bee-keeper handling the swarms in a glazed interior court, where cohabit sometimes until 50.000 bees! … without danger to the visitors!

The religious city of Rocamadour was 12th at the 14th century one of the high places of pilgrimage of the Christian Occident. The famous Black Virgin, venerated for her miracles in the miraculous vault Notre-Dame, is the object of a devotion renewed since the 19th century. The sanctuaries of Rocamadour, accessible by the Large Staircase (the street of the degrees) which assembles center of the city to gain the square, are plated against the rock cliff of the calcareous plate. The semi sanctuaries troglodytic were thus built during the 12th century on the narrow and steep space of a rock terrace.

Leave with the small train to discover an imposing and strange panorama. Rocamadour the night will enchant you! Excursion day and night… During the day, the Small Train of Rocamadour ensures the transport of the carpark of the valley until the city mariale. Outward journey and return every 15 minutes. Every evening, we propose to you an excursion (30 mn) with a historical comment (7 languages). This exceptional circuit reserves emotion, surprised to you and charms. The enlightened city emerges, attractive. Carry the single memory of a seizing spectacle! Possibility for the groups (sea-green minis 15) of the excursion in day (except July and August) from 10:30 at 19:00

Come to discovered from our 130 nest eggs which live in freedom on 20 hectares. You will be astonished by the proximity by the monkeys and the facility by observation. Guides are there to answer all your questions and will make you discover their lifestyle. Then do not hesitate any more, the forest of the monkeys, it is each time the adventure!