Rocamadour is built on a rock in the middle of the Causse de Gramat. This is a vast slate plateau and part of the Causse du Quercy. The city is the most visited pilgrimage site after Lourdes in France. Rocamadour is and was a very popular site on the pilgrimage route from northern Europe to Santiago de Compostela. Besides the tomb of St Amadour, the Black Madonna of Rocamadour is the major reason for pilgrims to visit Rocamadour.
Atop the rock is a castle. Through a steep winding path (or a lift for the disabled) you can reach the shrine. At each corner is a fragment of the crusade of Jesus. You end at a number of chapels and a church. Between the city and the castle are seven sanctuaries.
Below the mountain lies the village itself. It is very touristy with lots of shops in the narrow streets. The place is known for its local produced goat cheeses (Rocamadour AOC, also called cabecous) and foie gras. You can also visit the Grotte des Merveilles with prehistoric wall paintings.
The town of L'Hospitalet located at the top of the cliff, attached to Rocamadour. Here are some restaurants and souvenir shops. If you do not want to climb from the bottom to the top, and you prefer to use your car, you can park right here. Atop the rock is a bird park with a predatory bird show at the castle and a monkey park. For children there is also La Féerie: a magical miniature world.
