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Rocamadour Village from Sarlat private tour: A Hidden Gem Unveiled
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private tours
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Cultural
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04 hours
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Small Groups ( 1~8 )
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Active
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Multi-languages
English Français
- Highlights
- Program
- Gallery
- Know before
- Meeting point
- Reviews
- Inc. / Exc.
- FAQ
Select options and Book
Check availability
2024/09/23 and 2024/12/31
Highlights
- Tour the spectacularly perched Notre Dame chapel of Rocamadour
- Enjoy free time to wander and enjoy the village as you wish
- Dordogne Tour can be customized to suit your interests
- Local Tour Guide, Expert of the Dordogne & Lot Region
Program & Itinerary
Explore the Enchanting Village of Rocamadour: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Immerse yourself in the beauty of one of France's most breathtaking villages nestled in the Quercy region. Perched against a majestic cliff, this architectural marvel reflects the French Feudal system, embodying the three distinct orders of Chivalry, Clergy, and Peasantry.
As you wander through the village, marvel at the houses that once sheltered the peasants at the bottom, while the middle section housed the Clergy and the Sanctuary. At the pinnacle of the cliff, discover the Castle, the residence of the local Lord and a testament to the Chivalry order.
Today, Rocamadour continues to captivate pilgrims and visitors worldwide. Its inclusion on the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route has earned it a prestigious spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Hotel Pickup in Sarlat: Begin Your Journey
We will start our adventure by picking you up directly from your hotel or accommodation in Sarlat or the surrounding area. Meet your knowledgeable English-speaking guide, an expert in the Dordogne region, who will provide you with a detailed itinerary and program for this half-day tour. Step into our spacious, comfortable, and air-conditioned Mercedes minivan, ensuring a pleasant journey to Rocamadour.
Travel in Comfort with a Mercedes Minivan
Our private Sarlat Sightseeing Tour offers the luxury of traveling in one of our spacious Mercedes Minivans. While this vehicle can accommodate up to 8 individuals, we are reserving it exclusively for your group, allowing you to choose the seats that best suit your preferences for social distancing, all while enjoying the insightful commentary from your guide. All our vehicles feature an onboard P/A system, ensuring that you hear your driver/guide's commentary regardless of your seat selection.
Rocamadour: Embark on a Picture-Perfect Visit
Set off on a journey to the pilgrimage and fortress village of Rocamadour, known for its breathtaking location within a gorge overlooking a tributary of the River Dordogne. The village's name likely stems from the combination of St. Amador or Amadour, whose relics were discovered in the sanctuary's heart in 1166, and "roca" (cliff).
This picturesque village is celebrated for its historical monuments and the revered sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Throughout the centuries, it has attracted pilgrims from all corners of the globe, including kings, bishops, and nobles.
Accompanied by your guide, wander through the medieval streets of the village until you reach the steps leading to the central part of the village, where the Church Square, known as Place St Amadour, awaits with its seven sanctuaries. The magnificent Great Staircase, consisting of approximately 216 steps, carries visitors from the lower town to the religious complex—an arduous climb pilgrims once undertook on their knees during the Middle Ages.
Discover the Monastic Buildings within the Sanctuary
Upon arrival, your guide will introduce you to the sanctuary, inviting you to seek out the legendary sword of Roland, Durandal, embedded in the cliff. According to legend, Roland, Charlemagne's nephew, hurled the sword from the battlefield to ensure no one would ever wield it again, and it found its resting place in Rocamadour.
Inside the sanctuary, marvel at the renowned Notre Dame Chapel, an extraordinary complex dating back to the 13th century. Your guide will share fascinating stories surrounding the Black Madonna statue, carved from a walnut tree in the 12th century.
Adorning the chapel's ceiling are ship models offered by grateful survivors who invoked the Black Madonna and were subsequently rescued from shipwrecks. It is said that with each saved vessel, the miraculous bell in the chapel would ring once. Facing the Notre Dame chapel, admire the stunning 12th-century frescoes depicting the Annunciation and Visitation.
Enjoy Personal Exploration
Following your sanctuary visit, delight in some free time to explore at your leisure. If you exit the sanctuary at the same level, you can ascend to the Castle, situated above the sanctuary, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Alzou canyon, although the Castle itself is not open to visitors. Alternatively, descend back to the village and take a leisurely stroll along the main street, perusing local arts and crafts shops for unique souvenirs.
After your personal discovery time, we will return to Sarlat, concluding our unforgettable journey. Book your Rocamadour tour today and embark on a captivating adventure to one of France's most enchanting UNESCO World Heritage sites, filled with architectural wonders, spiritual significance, and natural beauty.
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09:00 am
or 02:00 pmMeet your Guide at your Accomodation in Sarlat
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10:00 am
or 03:00 pmGuided visit of Rocamadour Villages and its sanctuary
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11:15 am
or 04:15 pmFree time for personal discovery in Rocamadour
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01:00 pm
or 06:00 pmDrop off at your accommodation in Sarlat
Gallery
Know before you book
- Dorodgne Tour available from April to October
- 4 hour Private Rocamadour Tour from Sarlat
- Tour is operated in English, other languages on request
- Prices are per person, maximum 8 guests - Larger groups please contact us
- Tour involves some walking, good walking shoes recommended
- Tour is not wheelchair accessible
Meeting point
Departure
Other possible pick up locations :
- Montignac
- Les Eyzies de Tayac
- Beynac, La Roque Gageac, Domme
Return
Reviews
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Ana Cristina A. G
12, Oct 2016
Fue muy linda la excursión y la guÃa 10 puntos. Muy interesante todo lo que vimos y además muy confortable el vehÃculo en que nos transportaron . La excursión...
Included / excluded
Included
- Guided walking tour of Rocamadour village and sanctuary
- English-speaking driver guide, Expert of the Dordogne
- Travel in recent, comfortable & fully equipped minivan
Excluded
- Entrance fees unless specified in program
- Personal travel insurance and expenses
- Meals, drinks & wine tasting fees
- Gratuities for the driver/guide
FAQ
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Do you organize pick up and return at accommodation for Sarlat private tours?
Yes, absolutely, we will come and pick you up at your hotel or accommodation in Sarlat. We can also pick you up within a radius of 30kms (20 miles) around Sarlat at no extra cost. -
What type of vehicles are used during your private tours from Sarlat?
Our company uses only Mercedes Vito Tourer 8 seater minivans that are recent, comfortable and fully equipped including individual A/C, shaded windows, large leg space and on board P/A system for commentaries by the guide. -
Who conducts these Dordogne private tours from Sarlat?
We only employ fully accredited, licensed tour guides that are also the drivers for all tours that need visits to be conducted by certified guides. Good examples are: the visit of the National Prehistory Museum, guided walking tours in villages such as Rocamadour, visit of historical monuments and so on. In the Dordogne, all our guides are experts in History & Culture. All have a large experience in Paleolithic Art and conduct tours in both Caves & Castles. -
What are the top attractions to visit while in Rocamadour?
First of all, you will be with your own guide that will introduce you to this marvellous village. During your guided walking tour, discover the sanctuary where you will visit the different chapels, admire the Black Virgin and breath taking views. You will then have time for personal discovery & lunch. This free time will allow you to stroll the medieval streets, shop for local souvenirs or have a relaxed coffee break. -
How strenuous is this tour?
Rocamadour is a medieval village. This implies that there are cobblestone streets that can be difficult to walk on. Also, the sanctuary is located in the middle part of the village and to reach it implies that you will need to climb stairs. However, there is a possibility of taking an elevator but this will be at your own expense. -
How many steps will we have to climb in Rocamadour?
Once you have visited the village, you will arrive in front of the Great Staircase. This is the main pilgramage way to arrive at the sanctuary. There are about 216 stairs to climb so this can be challanging for some persons. Howere, there is an option to take an elevator for those that have walking issues or that feel that the climb will be too strenuous. The return price for the elevator is under 4€ at time of writing (11/2020).
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