Amadour Trail guidebook - 500km from Soulac-sur-Mer to Rocamadour
This is the very first guidebook dedicated to the Amadour Trail itinerary. Discover this must-see hiking route, which stretches nearly 500 km, linking Soulac-sur-Mer to Rocamadour. Along the way, you will connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Causses of Quercy, following in the footsteps of historic pilgrimages. Published by Éditions Sud Ouest, this guidebook is an essential for your journey.
The GR®81 - Grande Randonnée trail invites you on an unforgettable voyage of discovery. As you walk, you will experience diverse landscapes and remarkable heritage sites, many of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, just like the famous Camino de Santiago / St James Way.
This detailed guide breaks the route into 21 well-defined stages, making it easy to plan your journey. Along the way, you will cross the Gironde estuary, pass through the Entre-deux-Mers region, and explore the vineyards of Bordeaux and Bergerac-Duras. Further on, you will travel through the Dropt Valley, the scenic Dordogne Valley, and the rugged Causses of Quercy, before reaching the legendary sanctuary of Rocamadour.
Follow the Grande Randonnée trail (GR®81) from the Atlantic Ocean to the Causses of Quercy
The Amadour Trail takes its inspiration from the legend of Amadour, a mysterious figure who, according to tradition, was actually Zacchaeus, a disciple of Jesus. As the story goes, Amadour and his wife, Véronique, fled persecution and found refuge on the Médoc coast. There, they founded a church in Soulac-sur-Mer, later known as the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Fin-des-Terres. However, his wife passed away.
Determined to continue his mission, Amadour set out once more, traveling across the region and evangelizing local communities. Eventually, he withdrew into solitude, choosing to live as a hermit in a cave in the Quercy region. Over time, this sacred site grew in importance and became what we now know as Rocamadour.
Through the centuries, Rocamadour has evolved into one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations in France. The site gained renown due in part to the discovery of Amadour’s supposedly incorruptible body and the presence of a revered statue of the Black Madonna, known for her miraculous powers. Pilgrims and travelers alike continue to visit this extraordinary sanctuary, drawn by its spiritual heritage, historical depth, and breathtaking landscapes.
In this Amadour Trail guidebook you will find :
- Detailed maps and stage profiles
- Practical information: accommodation, refreshments, advice
- History and heritage of the sites crossed
- An accessible, signposted itinerary
