Padirac and the caves of the Dordogne Valley
Beneath your feet, a breathtaking underground world awaits. The limestone plateaus of the Causse have given rise to chasms and caves, where water appears in the form of streams, rivers and underground lakes.
Le Gouffre de Padirac
The Gouffre de Padirac is Europe’s most famous cave. In 1889, Edouard-Alfred Martel explored it for the first time. Dive to the center of the Earth. At a depth of 103 m, a wonderful world awaits you. Take a seat in a boat and navigate an underground river, discovering exceptional galleries and concretions.
The Caves of Lacave
A small train takes you to the heart of the caves. This takes you through rooms where stalactites and stalagmites are reflected in underground lakes. You’ll be speechless in front of the Salle des Merveilles, an immense 2000 m2 gallery.
Visit Grottes de Presque
Close to Rocamadour and the Gouffre de Padirac, Les Grottes de Presque offer a cathedral of concretions in a variety of shapes and hues, with stalagmitic pillars 8 to 10 metres high.
Visit Grotte Préhistorique des Merveilles
Man has inhabited the Dordogne Valley for thousands of years. Traces of their presence in Rocamadour can be found in this cave, decorated with drawings dating back over 20,000 years.
Visit Prehistoric caves of Cougnac
Our Upper Paleolithic ancestors have left us beautiful traces of their passage in the form of rock drawings. These are the oldest figurative drawings open to the public.
