Around Rocamadour

Culture and sightseeing

 

Other Great Tourist Sites in Occitania / Pyrenees-Mediterranean

• The Dordogne Valley : from Souillac to Sousceyrac it runs an enchanting course.
  www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk

• Figeac : an extremely rich heritage that is well preserved and still very much alive.
  www.tourisme-figeac.com

• Cahors : the principal town of Lot is an ode to the quality of life in the Southwest.
  www.holidays-cahors.co.uk

• Saint Cirq-Lapopie : a jumble of Gothic houses clinging to the cliff top in the Lot Valley.
  www.holidays-cahors.co.uk

Villages

• Gramat : this lively town is a former 11th century castrum with an original heritage.

• The villages of the Causse de Gramat : along with Rocamadour, this high limestone plateau is part of the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park. These villages of humble yet grand-looking houses feature traditional Quercy-style architecture. Highlights include Reilhac, Lunegarde, Soulomes and Carlucet.

• The villages of the Dordogne Valley : north of Rocamadour, a necklace of little pearls brings out the beauty of this legendary river. You will fall for Carennac, Floirac, Gluges, Creysse and Martel.

• Gourdon : at the gateway to the Périgord, this medieval town sits on a rocky hillock that has witnessed 17,000 years of history.

Water mills

• Moulin de Cougnaguet : a splendid fortified mill (14th century) that is still working, powered by the mint-green waters of the River Ouysse. www.cougnaguet.com

• Moulin du Saut : a ruined water mill, haughty and mysterious, clinging to the rock by a waterfall inside the Alzou Gorge. Accessible on foot (20 minutes) from the Rocamadour-Calès road.

Châteaux

• Château de Montal : an elegant Renaissance château with beautiful French-style formal gardens. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 38 13 72 - http://montal.monuments-nationaux.fr

• Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux : this vast fairytale château is built entirely of red sandstone. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 10 98 00 - http://castelnau-bretenoux.monuments-nationaux.fr/
• Château d’Assier : Renaissance château built by a comrade in arms of Francis I. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 40 40 99 - http://assier.monuments-nationaux.fr/

Museums

• Musée des Automates, Souillac : Europe's biggest museum of antique mechanical figures (while you're here, don't miss Souillac's historic centre and superb abbey church).
• Atelier-Musée Jean Lurçat, Saint Céré : this studio-cum-museum of the famous artist and tapestry designer Jean Lurçat (1892-1966) overlooks the medieval town.

Outdoor activities

Canoeing and swimming

• Canoeing on the Dordogne : a magnificent cliff-lined stretch of the river with starting points at Carennac, Gluges, Souillac, etc. Details of canoe hire outlets are at www.tourisme-lot.com. 

• Swimming in the Dordogne: head for the village of Gluges and its pebble-and-grass beach, where you can cool off in the river.

Walking

• Ouysse and Alzou Circuit : this 8km walk starts at the Gouffre de Cabouy sinkhole and runs through a 'Sensitive Nature Area' to give you a taste of the distinctive and unspoilt countryside of the Causses du Quercy. Route description at www.tourisme-lot.com

Sites of outstanding natural beauty

• Lacave Caves : from the Halls of Wonder to the Great Dome, a dazzling journey through the heart of a masterpiece of nature. Tel. +33 (0)5 65 37 87 03 - www.grottes-de-lacave.fr

• Gouffre de Padirac : one of the most famous sinkholes in France - unmissable! Tel. +33 (0)5 65 33 64 56 – www.gouffre-de-padirac.com

• Marais de Bonnefont, Mayrinhac-Lentour : this 42-hectare area of stunning, fragile and unique marshland is a Regional Nature Reserve. Educational trail, guided tour. www.paysdepadirac.fr

• Cirque d’Autoire : dominating the pretty village of Autoire, this impressive cirque is flanked by rock faces and features a 30-metre waterfall.

Fairs and festivals

• Souillac en Jazz : this top jazz festival is an exciting mix of styles, popular for its eclectic line-up. In July.
• Festival Lyrique de Saint-Céré : a real treat for opera fans: music and song at the Dordogne Valley's finest heritage attractions. In July/August. http://festival-saint-cere.com/