I have no regrets about spending a night in Rocomadour because it was a convenient stop along my itinerary, but I would not consider it particularly picturesque in comparison to other villages in the region. JMO.

I prefer Rocamadour from a distance than the village itself. However, I did get two interesting pictures in the interior of the main church, taken ten minutes apart; Just click on the picture and then place the cursor on the lower part of the virgin:

Rocamadour doesn't float my boat, though it's got some visual clout from a distance. I much prefer Collonges-la-Rouge, Martel, and Carennac and thereabouts. The Gouffre de Padirac is a bit of a treat, too, though very highly touristed.

You're right about the Jardin de l'Imaginaire, Michael; it's a bit of a novelty but not really in the league of great gardens. I'd forgotten about the gardens in Limeuil - they are lovely.

Have no idea about Dassault, but Bordeaux has a LOT to offer these days!

Rocamadour is often called the 2nd most visited place in France outside Paris (Mont-Saint-Michel is first) - not sure about that but Rocamadour is a very popular places which may be a reason some don't like it - but if you get into its history as one of the most important medieval and current religious meccas in France and see the revered holy relic in the main basilica or whatever it's called. I enjoyed walking down from the top level via stairs to each level. To me it was a totally unique place that was, along with Gouffre de Padirac, that I remember most about this area. It's been years since I did the cave experience but then you went down into the huge opening and got on a punt, propelled by, at that time, a plump guy who was also smoking in this delicate area! Padirac floated my boat not only with the usual stalactites and stalacmites (sp?) but people-watching the many others on the tour.

Great shot of the praying hands! In fact Rocamadour does look lovely. Thanks for all the great tips and pictures - I know have a lot to go over on the looooong plane trip from Oregon. If I think of anything else I'll remember to post!

But it's a mystery as I do not recall any figure in front of the statue, much less one that changes positions.

Ahh, that's creeeepy! What about a reflection from another part of the room - tell me that's got to be a possibility. Otherwise...years ago I had an actual film camera and forget there was film in the camera I ended up with double-exposures and a few of them were super odd and eerily wonderful like that.

A reflection that changes position? Is there maybe a projection? It is creepy. The picture was taken with a digital camera, lessening the chances of a double exposure.

https://www.la-foret-des-singes.com/en/

And families may especially like the Forest of the Monkeys just outside Rocamadour!

Hi TheModoc,
Maybe also check out tiny Espagnac-Ste-Eulalie, just NE of St Cirq or Villefranche-de-Rouergue just SE of St Cirq over in Aveyron? The latter has a VG market. Casting the net even further eastward, you could perhaps visit Conques and also Belcastel. Closer to your home-base (Sarlat) see also Loubressac and its miniature neighbour, Autoire.
As has been noted, you are spoiled for choice, yeah? Such a concentration of towns and villages worthy of your time one doesn't see too often.
Bonne Chance!