Rocamadour, nestled in the Lot department of southwest France, is a name familiar to travelers, as well as appreciators of fine dining and rich history. One look at the restaurants, hotels and churches rising magically from the cliffs along the Alzou stream and it's no wonder this communal town is one of France's prime getaway locations.

The exquisite natural setting and beautiful buildings have made Rocamadour France's second-most visited site (after Mount St. Michael, Normandy). Rocamadour, 36 miles north-northeast of Cahors and local to the Dordogne Valley, never fails to make a visual impression. But this quaint village is best known for its peerless cheesemaking, as well as the religious pilgrimages made each year by clerics and laypeople alike.

Rocamadour's religious roots are the source of the town's name. According to legend, St. Amadour, a witness to the martyrdom of St. Paul and St. Peter, traveled to the location and took up hermitage following his wife's death. The story might be part myth and part history, but the legend, beloved of locals, adds to Rocamadour's charm and magic.

Rocamadour's many churches and chapels have been greeted by pilgrims--including royalty--since medieval times. Where should today's travelers start? Visitors may want to begin at the most obvious place: St. Amadour's crypt. This quiet area of reflection is accessed down a stone staircase. The crypt, built into the rock, is an ideal place for devotion and contemplation, according to visitors.

But Saint Amadour's crypt isn't the only sight of interest in this historic burg. The Chapelle Notre Dame--Our Lady's Chapel--contains the famous Black Madonna, a twelfth century rendition of the virgin Mary holding an infant Jesus. Here Rocamadour's many visitors light candles and pray to the madonna. A bell, which has supposedly rung of its own accord in response to sailors' prayers to Mary, hangs from the ceiling.

There is also the Great Staircase, whose 233 steps visitors have climbed on their knees to show their devotion. (Modern-day pilgrims have the more forgiving choice of taking an escalator to the top.)

After a long journey, visitors will want to sample the local fare. Rocamadour cheese, also known as "cabecou of Rocamadour", is made from an ancient recipe that starts with goat's milk. The milk is first heated to produce curds. The curds are allowed to  rest and meld together for the better part of a day. They are then drained, mixed, salted and formed into flat, round mould. The finished cheese is then sent to the cellar for six days in order to achieve peak flavor and consistency. The result, according to those who have tasted this local delicacy, is an exceptionally velvety, striated cheese that melts in the mouth.

Visitors will also enjoy  the many shops and boutiques that have cropped up around this popular spot. A selection of fine restaurants and hotels are there for the choosing as well. Whatever one's travel itinerary, this is one vacation whose memories will last a lifetime.