Rocamadour

We boarded our minivan this morning for the final instalment of our three day tour of Dordogne.  To say the weather was glorious would be an absolute understatement.  The sky was so blue and it was warm enough to discard our jackets.

The hour long journey took us through more spectacular French countryside where we witnessed autumn scenes worthy of a calendar (complete with châteaux perched on hillsides).

Our destination today was Rocamadour which is probably in the top 5 of my favourite places in France.  This is a famous pilgrimage site, and has been so for the last 1000 years.  Legend has it that one of Jesus’ disciples, Zacheus, fled to France fleeing from persecution in Palestine eventually seeking refuge in this part of France.  The body of Zacheus (otherwise known as St Amadour) was discovered in 1166 and this, along with the black Madonna which was supposedly carved by Zacheus contributed to this becoming one of the stops on the “Chemin de St Jacques de Compostelle” pilgrimage.  To this day it remains an important pilgrimage site and the faithful climb the 200+ steps on their knees.  There are still 7 churches and chapels remaining at Rocamadour and one of them is dedicated to rugby (yes, rugby as in football).  I said a little prayer for the Aussies to play well against New Zealand in the World Cup grand final.  The chapel containing the black Madonna is adorned with miniature boats and in the ceiling a bell.  It is said that the Madonna rings the bell to save those in trouble at sea.

On the way back we stopped to take some photos of some geese... no doubt soon to be foie gras.

As our tour finished early, Jorgia and I wandered around Sarlat when we got back.  We took the opportunity to take the lift to the top of the church tower and enjoy the panoramic view of Sarlat.

Tomorrow we hit the road for the long journey back to Rennes.