Whether you're crossing France from north to south, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, or designing a custom gourmet circuit, Rocamadour is an essential stop. Between Bordeaux and Lyon, between the Loire castles and the Pyrenees, this medieval city offers an enchanted interlude at the heart of France's most beautiful road trips.
Rocamadour, Strategic Crossroads
- Paris: 540 km (5h30 via A20)
- Bordeaux: 210 km (2h30)
- Toulouse: 160 km (2h)
- Lyon: 400 km (4h)
- Nice: 650 km (6h30)
Itinerary 1: Paris to Mediterranean via the Southwest
Escape the congested motorways and discover an authentic France by crossing the Massif Central and Quercy. This 7 to 10 day itinerary combines heritage, gastronomy and spectacular landscapes.
Distance: 200-300 km depending on castles visited
See: Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Vouvray vineyards
Stay: Amboise or Tours
Distance: 250 km
See: Oradour-sur-Glane, Limoges (porcelain), Sarlat
Stay: Sarlat-la-Caneda
Distance from Sarlat: 55 km
See: Rocamadour, Padirac Chasm, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors
Stay: Hotel Les Vieilles Tours - your ideal base
Experiences: Gourmet dinner at the restaurant, Cahors wine tasting, night visit of Rocamadour
Distance: 300-400 km
Option 1: Via Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi
Option 2: Via Montpellier and the Cevennes
Final destination: Cote d'Azur, Provence or Languedoc
Itinerary 2: Bordeaux to Lyon, The Gourmet Crossing
A 5 to 7 day road trip linking two French gastronomy capitals, through the most renowned terroirs of the Southwest and Massif Central.
Gourmet Stops
- Bordeaux: Grand Cru Classes, Saint-Emilion
- Bergerac: Bergerac wines, Monbazillac
- Perigord: Foie gras, black truffle, walnuts
- Rocamadour: AOC cheese, Quercy lamb, saffron
- Cahors: Cahors wines (Malbec)
- Aveyron: Roquefort, aligot, Laguiole
- Lyon: Bouchons Lyonnais, Beaujolais
Rocamadour AOC Cheese
A small goat cheese with a hazelnut flavour, Rocamadour has held AOC status since 1996. Visit a producer farm for an authentic tasting. Our team can recommend the best addresses.
Itinerary 3: Atlantic to Mediterranean, The Southern Diagonal
From Biarritz to Nice, cross the south of France by the most spectacular routes. A 10 to 14 day journey for lovers of varied landscapes.
Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, inland Basque villages, Pau and the Pyrenees
Auch, fortified villages, Armagnac, foie gras, medieval bastides
Central stage of the journey: Rocamadour, Padirac, Sarlat, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Stay 2-3 nights at Hotel Les Vieilles Tours to explore the region in depth
Rodez, Conques, Tarn Gorges, Millau and its viaduct, Roquefort
Nimes, Pont du Gard, Arles, Camargue, then Cote d'Azur
Why Stop at Rocamadour?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Rocamadour is part of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage routes, a World Heritage Site. The vertical city, clinging to its cliff, offers a unique architectural spectacle in Europe.
An Ideal Position
Halfway between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, between Paris and the Pyrenees, Rocamadour allows you to pleasantly break up long motorway journeys while discovering a lesser-known region.
Unsuspected Riches
In 2-3 days from Rocamadour, explore:
- France's Most Beautiful Villages: Carennac, Autoire, Loubressac, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
- Caves and chasms: Padirac, Lacave, Pech Merle, Cougnac
- Castles: Castelnau-Bretenoux, Cenevieres, Beynac, Castelnaud
- Vineyards: Cahors and its estates
Tips for Your Road Trip
Prepare Your Vehicle
- Rental: Choose a comfortable vehicle for long journeys
- GPS: Download offline maps (some areas have poor signal)
- Fuel: Stations are less frequent in rural areas
- Roads: Prefer departmental roads over motorways for scenery
Best Period
- May-June: Ideal, lush nature, moderate crowds
- September-October: Perfect, harvest season, autumn colours
- July-August: Busier, book well in advance
Bookings
For a prestige road trip, book your accommodation 2-3 months in advance, especially for key stops like Rocamadour. The best establishments fill up quickly in high season.
The Les Vieilles Tours Experience
Our 3-star charming hotel offers the perfect setting for a prestige road trip stop:
What Sets Us Apart
- Exceptional location: Private estate on the heights, panoramic views
- Gourmet restaurant: Elevated local cuisine, local produce
- Outdoor pool: Relaxation after the road
- Character rooms: Careful decor, modern comfort
- Secure parking: For your rental or personal vehicle
- Personal advice: Our team knows every corner of the region
Make Rocamadour the Highlight of Your Road Trip
Book 2 or 3 nights at Les Vieilles Tours to explore Quercy at your own pace. Our team helps plan your visits and recommends the most exclusive regional experiences.
Book Your Stop