Cite Religieuse
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About
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Why go
- The sanctuary has UNESCO World Heritage status and includes protected historic monuments.
- Saint-Louis chapel has been dedicated to rugby as Notre-Dame de l’Ovalie since 2011.
Don't miss
- Saint-Michel chapel frescoA 12th-century fresco depicts the Annunciation and Visitation.Outer wall of Saint-Michel chapel
- Sanctuary forecourtWhite stone paving marks the sanctuary’s centre, with chapels around its edge. Its upper level gives access to the basilica and two chapels.Centre of the sanctuary
Know before you go
- Groups can visit by reservation only.
Tips for your visit
- The pilgrimage service can help organise your stay.
With kids
- Families are welcome throughout the year. A trail game offers about an hour of riddles and games around the site.
- Young sanctuary volunteers lead a daily activity at 14:30, lasting about an hour.
- Sanctuary priests bless children and families every day.
Interesting facts4
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The religious town is perched on a 150-metre cliff above the Alzou valley.
histoire - Sanctuaire de Rocamadour -
Saint-Blaise chapel is dedicated to a healing saint martyred in the 4th century.
Cité religieuse de Rocamadour - Wikipedia -
Saint-Jean-Baptiste chapel became a baptistery in the 19th century.
Cité religieuse de Rocamadour - Wikipedia -
1936
In 1936, Francis Poulenc composed Litanies à la Vierge noire Notre-Dame de Rocamadour for women’s or children’s choir and organ.
Cité religieuse de Rocamadour - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
The complex developed in stages from the 11th century; most of its religious buildings date from the 12th century.
- 1105Pope Pascal II mentioned the pilgrimage.
- 1152Géraud d’Escorailles began building work to accommodate growing crowds of pilgrims.
- 1159Henri II Plantagenêt visited to thank the Virgin for his recovery.
- 1166A well-preserved body attributed to Saint Amadour was found and placed in the crypt bearing his name.
- 1172By this year, 126 miracles had been authenticated and recorded at the sanctuary.
Show all
- 1244Saint Louis and his mother Blanche de Castille came to pray at the sanctuary.
- 1562Huguenots pillaged and burned the sanctuary, destroying Saint Amadour’s relics.
- 1842Restoration began under the bishops of Cahors, with work entrusted to Abbé Chevalt.
How to get there
- On footThe Voie sainte begins at the hamlet of l’Hospitalet and descends to the lower town and the stairway. The final steps pass beneath the sanctuary buildings through the Porte sainte onto the forecourt.
Sources: Cité religieuse de Rocamadour - Wikipedia · Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Rocamadour : Foi et Hi… · Visites guidées - Sanctuaire de Rocamadour · histoire - Sanctuaire de Rocamadour · Familles - Sanctuaire de Rocamadour · Pèlerinage à Rocamadour - Sanctuaire de Rocamad… · checked 8 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
Are there regular services at Cite Religieuse?
The sanctuary holds daily prayer services, including Mass and evening prayers.
Is there another way out from the forecourt at Cite Religieuse?
The Porte Saint-Martial tunnel passes beneath the basilica from the forecourt to an exit.
Is there an accompanied walk near Cite Religieuse?
A priest accompanies a three-hour hike toward Rocamadour.
Can I explore Cite Religieuse virtually?
A 360° virtual tour is available.
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