We're leaving for France in a few weeks and Rocamadour is on my tentative list. I say tentative since its kind of on our way from Carcasonne to Sarlat in the Dordogne. Right now the plan is to detour off the autoroute to visit some of the villages in the eastern Dordogne (Autoire, Carennac, Martel, etc) and then head west. As I recall Rocamdour is about a 20 minute detour from Autoire. The question is, is it worth going during the middle of the day. I'm sure early morning when its peaceful is great as is at night, but it is anything worth braving the crowds to see, e.g. photogenic, spectacular setting, etc. If it makes a difference we'll most likely be arriving at about 10 am or a little later on a Wednesday in mid May. Or should we just skip it in favor of spending a bit more time at the other towns I mentioned?
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I would give it points for spectacular setting, but can't picture it mobbed by crowds. Would it be?
I doubt it's worth a 209-minute detour, but it might be worth a 20-minute one. It wouldn't be at the top of my list of things to see and do.
I don't know the towns you mention (alas) but there are hill towns and bastides in the region I like better.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10190 posts
In my opinion, yes it's worth the detour. We found a lot of interest there. Yes, it can get mobbed but mainly in July and August.
Posted by
Orinda, California, United States
286 posts
Adam, could you elaborate on some of your favorite towns in the area? I'll be there next week ; currently in Toulouse.
Posted by
OP
Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland
453 posts
Adam, ditto for me. Any other recs for photogenic towns in the area?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10190 posts
Let me edit: Rocamadour has been a major pilgrimage site for centuries, so it really can't be compared to a village, town, or even a hill town although it is perched on the side and top of a hill with a cliff drop off.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
The towns that you mentioned, Martel and Carennac, are worth seeing for sure. We had lunch in Carennac, visited a church, and walked along the river. Loved it that these towns were untouristed. Was underwhelmed by Rocamadour and it was full of tourists and tacky shops. Arrive early for getting a parking place if you go there. Hope you are planning to see Peche Merle.
Posted by
Chicago
8055 posts
We are probably old grumps and we did hit Rocamadour late in the date after a long day of driving and visiting other sites, but it is such a total tourist trappy site that it really turned us off. Like other spots with stunning situations it is now pretty much disneyland. Overpriced lousy food, Tacky souvenir stands everywhere. And filled shoulder to shoulder with people buying lousy food and tacky souvenirs. It is stunning from a distance, but up close, it is not all that swell.