Hello: I am considering the RS Tour that includes the 3 night stay in Sarlat. Is it possible to arrange a visit to Rocomadour during that time? Is there time and can I do that myself or will that be something the tour guide might help arrange?
Posted by
France Southwest
2318 posts
The Dordogne and the Lot are regions which are mainly visited by car. There is almost no public transport (at least to go to most tourist sites) and very few taxis which are often used as medical transport by the locals.
In addition, Rocamadour and Sarlat are not in the same departement, therefore do not depend on the same bus network.
To go to Rocamadour there is only one bus line which operates in July and August and it leaves from Figeac train station (there are 4 buses per day and the bus also goes to the Gouffre de Padirac) and there is no public transport from Sarlat to Figeac
You will probably find an organized daytrip to Rocamadour by asking at the Sarlat tourist office.
Be aware that Rocamadour is among the most visited places in France, so it is invaded by tourists and obviously tourist traps, whith its restaurants and sellers of souvenirs made in China.
Adding to the frustration, the legendary sword of Durandal which was embedded in a cleft in a cliff wall was stolen last month!
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4580 posts
We did the Loire to the South of France tour in 2019 and the guide helped a group of us get transportation to Lascaux. I had brought this up with the guide early on in our tour and she told me to ask again a couple of days before we got to Sarlat and she arranged it for us. Rocamadour is further away from Sarlat than Lascaux, but the guide may be able to help.
Posted by
Washington DC
28055 posts
If you go to Rocamadour, be sure you have time to see the religious buildings up on the hill. I did not, because of the bus situation (I didn't start from Figeac), and the tourist strip down below was pretty dreadful. I went to Figeac later for a day and really liked it.
Posted by
42 posts
My mother and I are taking the RS Loire Valley tour next year and I found a Get Your Guide day trip from Sarlat to Rocamadour. I've done other Get Your Guide trips in other cities and they've all been good.
Posted by
42 posts
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14716 posts
Did you realize GetYourGuide is a 3rd party reseller of tours (as is Viator) and does not actually run the tours?
This tour is actually provided by Exploreo according to the GYG website. I'd probably book directly with the provider since they are probably charged 20-25% by GYG for the listing. The Exploreo website does say it's a Rick recommended company although I don't have a recent France guide book to check that out.