Saint Amadour -- the Sanctuaries at Rocamadour (France)

• Report rights infringement
• published: 18 Sep 2011
• views: 283

This has been a major site of Christian pilgrimage for centuries upon centuries, and is the second-most-visited site in all of France, second only to Mont Saint-Michel. This short clip shows where the body of Saint Amadour was found, in the 13th century, in perfect condition. People have thrown coins into the space. There are many chapels and sanctuaries around, in this vertical town carved crazily into cliffs. There is a wonderful Black Madonna here. Bring two-euro and fifty-eurocent coins here, as some of the toilets need coins and to get to the amazing high point, you must put a two euro coin into a slot and there is no attendant. There is a funicular rail from the château to the sanctuaries, and then a vertical elevator down to the town, which only has one street. You must pay for these, the lifts. I suggest parking at the top, having your coins at the ready, starting at 9 am with the dizzying view from the precipice by the château, then taking the funicular to the sanctuary level. Use the pay toilets there, as there are no comfort facilities in the sanctuary complex and it is quite a walk! Word to the wise. Then, you can walk down many steps to the town, or take an elevator, as I did. My spouse walked up and down, but I took the lifts round trip. You will need good footwear here and this is a strenuous visit. I am disabled so this was hard for me. If you fear heights, this place is likely to frighten you a lot. It is in a huge canyon and there is a little tourist train. We used our car to go across the canyon to see the town from a distance to appreciate its amazing aspects. If you feel childish taking those little tourist trains, do not feel too bad here. The little trains are actually a good way to appreciate the views of this vertical city. The crowds must be dreadful here in peak season. If the weather is too hot or too cold, that must also be a negative. I suggest getting there right at nine am and starting at the top, working your way down, riding back up to your car. If you are religious, you are likely to find the sanctuaries well worth the visit. This is a pilgrimage place. Again, carry your own water, tissues, something to eat because you will get faint and dizzy, and dress comfortably. The day is likely to tire you a lot, but you will not soon forget this place. copyright 2011 Lisa B. Falour, B.S., M.B.A. all rights reserved LISA, INC. (EURL) cutecatfaith.com