19 Hidden European Villages Perfect for an Off-Season, Crowd-Free Getaway

15. Tranquility Among the Cliffs in Rocamadour, France

Carved into a limestone cliff above the Alzou Canyon, Rocamadour feels more like a dream than a destination. This vertical village in southwestern France was once a major pilgrimage stop, and today its layered stone buildings and cliffside chapels still radiate a quiet, sacred energy—especially in the off-season. Wander the medieval lanes without crowds, explore the 12th-century basilica, and gaze across the gorge at golden hour. With its haunting beauty and gravity-defying architecture, Rocamadour offers something rare: a sense of reverence that hasn’t yet been commercialized.