A subterranean haven at 13°C all year round
With its steady 13°C air and 12°C water, the Gouffre de Padirac stands out as a natural refuge against the summer heat. Located near Rocamadour, this geological marvel can be explored for nearly 2 km, blending walking and boating through a mineral world sculpted over millennia.
The adventure begins with a thrilling 103-meter descent, which you can take by elevator or by stairs. Once at the bottom, the path leads you to the Gallery of the Spring, then aboard a boat for 500 meters of navigation on the Smooth River. At the key point: natural wonders like the Rain Lake, its giant 60-meter stalactite, the poetic Gours Lake, and the majestic Hall of the Grand Dome, towering at 94 meters.
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Explorer Evenings: Nighttime Immersion by Lantern Light
For an even more immersive experience, the Explorer Evenings invite you to relive the thrill of original discovery by lantern light. Guided by costumed characters, visitors dive into the world of explorer Édouard-Alfred Martel, who revealed the "Devil's Hole" in 1889.
Before the tour, a dinner buffet featuring local flavors and a tasting of the 130th Anniversary Cuvée completes this timeless evening. Upcoming dates? June 28, July 12, August 29, September 27, and October 25. Expect €150 per adult and €80 per child (ages 4 to 12) – dinner included. Reservations are made online only.
The most famous chasm in Europe
As France's premier natural underground site, the Gouffre de Padirac welcomed 537,000 visitors in 2024 and has amazed over 27 million people since it opened to the public more than 130 years ago. It’s a living monument, eternal and still just as captivating, located only a 2H40 drive from Bordeaux.
