Rocamadour is a medieval village in south-central France with a long history of miraculous healing attributed to a wooden statue of the Black Madonna dating back to the early 1100s. Two of the earliest pilgrims who came to visit, and certainly some of the most famous, were the Plantagenet King Henry II of England and King Louis IX of France.
“King Henry fell sick almost to the point of death,” wrote a well-informed contemporary, but “he recovered his health … Then (he) travelled to Rocamadour to pray.”
Oxford University keeps track of all the miracles attributed to the Black Madonna of Rocamadour, and so far the total in their database is up to 120.
But “The High Queen of Black Madonnas” is only one among many amazing things people visit Rocamadour to see. Another is part of an ancient sword embedded in a rock wall. But it’s not just any old sword. According to legend, it is Durandal, the magical sword that the legendary noble Roland used to hold off an army of 100,000.
Rocomadour is just one of the highlights of our Sacred France tour that departs in a few weeks, on May 30th. “Mysteries of the Magdalene and Secrets of the Cathars” is hosted by Kathleen McGowan, and we still have a few spaces left. For all the details and how to register, Click Here.