stairs leading deeper into the cave, dim lighting

view down the stairs in gouffre de padirac

rocks lit up within the gouffre de padirac

a view from the bottom of the chasm, looking up

Gouffre de Padirac, Padirac

Legendary caves & an incredible subterranean boat ride

featured in Sights & sites

The most famous cave in Europe the Gouffre de Padirac is also considered to be one of the most important and interesting geological sites in France.

Inside an underground river flows along these vast caves, which can be visited by a boat trip. There are some impressive rock formations and huge open galleries. The cave itself is reached by descending some 103 metres where you embark on your boat trip and exploration of the cave.

The guided tour will bring you through the cave where you will discover the 'Grand Pendeloque' - a gigantic stalactite that is 60 metres high. You then walk towards the 'Lac des Gours' and the 'Salle du Grand Dome' which reaches up 94 metres above you.

Each guided visit lasts approximately 1hr30. Read our own review of the caves here.

Worth knowing

Legend has it that the caves of Padirac were formed by the devil with the kick of his heel, as a challenge to Saint-Matin. If the saint was able to cross the huge abyss he had just created, then the devil would give him the souls of the damned peasants he was about to drive straight to Hell. Saint-Martin spurred his mule and with a tremendous leap landed on the other side of the crater, leaving an imprint of hooves in the rock which can still be discerned today. Defeated and angry, the devil disappeared to the bottom of the cave.

Watch out for

Dogs are not permitted inside the cave, except for Guide Dogs. Photography is also forbidden once you reach the river and embark on the guided tour. Entrance to the caves are not advised for people with reduced mobility as there are a lot of stairs and no wheelchair access.

Visitor comments

"Went on a roastingly hot day and it was wonderful to feel the air get colder as we descended down a huge hole in the ground to the start of the caves. There is quite a bit of walking involved and lots of steps once you are in the caves themselves but there is a lift to get to the lower entrance. You have to get into boats that are punted along an underground river while the boatman gives you some of the history of the caves. It's a magical experience." - Trip Advisor
!When you enter the cave system it a great spectacle looking how high the cave is. Then you reach the 'gondolas' this is where the wait can be if busy. Once in the boat it's a serene journey through the dimly lit underground river, seeing gondolas coming the other way out of the darkness. You then dock at the other end a mixture of cave and concrete like something out of a James Bond movie. We thought this could be the end of the tour... it's just the beginning... a feast for your eyes.... the underground lakes... vast galleries... stalactites and stalagmites beautifully lit." - Trip Advisor
"It is a very unusual and interesting place. Our French friends showed us it. When we arrived about 12.00 there were no queues. We were accompanied by English speaking guides. Photos do not convey what you see in reality. The grandeur of this natural creation is amazing. I recommend to visit it." - Trip Advisor

Read our own review of the caves here.

When to come

Open from mid-March until mid-November. Times may vary throughout the year.

In July they are open from 09:00 until 20:00, with the exception of the first when they open from 09:00 to 19:00. In August the caves open from 08:00 to 21:30, except for the last week when they are open from 09:30 to 18:30.

As the times vary so much through the months it is advisable to check the website in advance to avoid disappointment.

How to book

This attraction is worth booking in advance, especially during high season. At other times of the year you may have a slight wait and queue and again if you book in advance then you can by-pass this, and go directly to the entry queue.