Durandal or Durendal, is the sword wielded by Roland, one of the paladin of Charlemagne, as told in the Matter of France.

The Matter of France is the collection of stories, folklore, legends and songs from the Middle Ages that have been used by various authors to document the history of the age.  There is an equivalent Matter of Britain and Matter of Rome.

Durandal is mentioned in the Song of Roland and the hilt of the sword is said to contain a tooth of Saint Peter, the blood of Saint Basil, hair of Saint Denis and a piece of the raiment of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  In the story, Roland attempts to prevent the sword being captured by invading Saracens and tries to destroy it.  The sword proves too strong and in the process the Breche de Roland is created in the Pyrenees at the Cirque de Gavarnie.

Folklore claims that the sword still exists and is preserved in Rocamadour jammed into the cliff face above the entrance to the Chapel Notre Dame, in Rocamadour.

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