I continue my journey in and around the pink city of Toulouse, one of my favorite in my belle France. On our way back, we stop by Rocamadour , and finally was able to find me pictures in my cd rom vault to show in my blog for you and me, This is great wonderful village and great family times. Let me tell you about it bear with me on the next posts, This time let me tell you on curiosities of Rocamadour !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Village of Rocamadour of about 610 inhabitants is located in the department of Lot No 46, in the Occitanie region of my belle France. It belongs to the Dordogne valley, It is about 61 km from Cahors, 53 km from Brive-la-Gaillarde, 163 km from Toulouse (from where we visit taking finally the D32), 219 km from Bordeaux, 525 km from Versailles, and 588 km from my current home, You reach it easily from the A20 highway sortie/exit 56,
This is the Grotte des Merveilles or cave of Wonders or Holy Sepulcher ,that serves as a chapel. Let us recall that in the Christian tradition, the Holy Sepulcher is the place where the body of Jesus was deposited after his death on the cross. It is located at the site L’Hôspitalet, 70 route de Calès, The caves do exist since Rocamadour is hung on a cliff. However, the only cave open to the public is the prehistoric cave of wonders. Located at the top of Rocamadour near the tourist office, it is the rock ornaments that are found in a recess of the wall near the entrance: 6 negative hands, 6 horses , a feline and a cervid It is on your way to the Mont Calvaire aka Chemin de Croix de Rocamadour.
La porte Salmon or Salmon door was built on the main street that is rue de la Couronnerie and rue Roland-le-Preux, its Courtine which joins the cliff being an extension of the wall closing the religious city to the north. This is the only door of Rocamadour to have kept its tower, which thus dominates without presenting defensive devices , The passage is covered with a broken cradle. This door, composed of two stages, has a staircase turret. Each evening, it is closed with a wooden door, locked by a bar inserted in the barrier holes on each side of the door. Subsequently, a staircase was added to the location after the destruction of a strong house that dominated the Alzou valley. The Salmon door takes its name from the salmon, which was once very present in the ivers. At the time, this fish were so many of the Dordogne that local workers sometimes asked in their contracts, not to receive salmon more than three times a week.
The cité religieuse or the religious City has an entrance as the Porte Saint-Martial on its north side, Descending the Stations of the Cross which will take you to the Saint-Martial gate, an access point to the sanctuary. By the Porte Saint-Martial, on your right there is a large balcony which offers a view of the valley.
The Rue de la Couronnerie is the big commercial street in the village. You have arrived in the only prominent street, rue de la Couronnerie ; There are stores, restaurants, houses and hotels that almost seem to leave the limestone rock wall. They seem completely protected and sheltered by the very existence of primitive natural structures.
At Rue Roland Le Preux you have the elevator/lift that easily transports you from the medieval city to the sanctuaries, and vice-versa, This is one the major street in the village of Rocamadour. You have here also, shops, bars and restaurants as well as the nice Café théâtre Côté Rocher.
The town of Rocamadour on its heritage :https://mairierocamadour.fr/decouverte/histoire-et-patrimoine/
The local Dordogne valley tourist office on Rocamadour: https://www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk/discover/cultural-heritage/villages-to-visit/rocamadour
The Lot dept 46 tourist office on Rocamadour : https://www.tourisme-lot.com/rocamadour/visiter-rocamadour
The Occitanie region tourist office on Rocamadour : https://www.visit-occitanie.com/en/discovering/major-sites/rocamadour-dordogne-valley/
There you go folks, you will love your walks here, we did and always looking forward to be back, eventually. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Rocamadour !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 