Caves are fascinating places if you are interested in geology or prehistory, and as the temperatures and the underground conditions remain the same all year round, the caves are also perfect to escape from a hot summer or a wet autumn day. The Dordogne is just as famous for its caves as for its wine and castles and while thousands might flock to see the replica of the famous Lascaux cave there are many other spectacular caves in the Dordogne area. You can still admire some original cave paintings in some, while others are famous for their giant chambers and impressive stalactites.
Guided tours in English are offered, but it is best to buy tickets online in advance especially in the summer. Many of the Dordogne caves only take visitors during the well known tourist season between late March and early November and are closed for the winter. Here are some of the caves we visited during our recent campervan trip to the Dordogne.
Grotte du Gran Roc
A set of steep stairs takes you to the entrance of the cave where – while you wait for the small group to gather for the tour – you can enjoy some sweeping views of the Vezere Valley. You can only enter the cave with a friendly guide who provides lots of interesting information as you walk through this underground forest of stalactites and stalagmites.
Don’t be put off by the size of the cave. There might not be big cambers and giant columns, but the cosy cave is jam packed with fascinating formations created by dripping water and unique crystallisations.
Grotte de Bernifal
There is no ticket kiosk, souvenir shop or fancy website. You have to pre-book your visit by text message or email and then follow the home-made signs through forest to the entrance of the cave where you meet the owner. The owner takes a small group of people into the dark cave with one torch. He knows the cave like the back of his hand and points out all the cave paintings. There is no strict time limit for the visit and we spent over an hour in the cave. We were fortunate enough to only have to share the experience with another English speaking couple. Prepare to have cash to pay at the end of your visit.
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Grottes de Cougnac
Walk the same path that was taken by our ancestors, who ventured deep into the cave and left their artwork on the walls some twenty thousand years ago. This is one of the few caves where you can see the original paintings of ibex, mammoth, deer, and humans as well as symbols. The cave art is impressive, but so are the thousands of stalagmites and stalactites. We were lucky to have a very enthusiastic guide with a vast knowledge of pre-history.
Gouffre de Padirac
With the large parking lot, big souvenir shop and restaurant this might feel very commercial as you join the queue to pick up your pre paid ticket and audio guide however I still recommend visiting it. During the summer months the daily visitor number is in the thousands but in the autumn it drops drastically and you can have a very enjoyable visit.
The size of the entrance of the cave is just as grand as the rest of the cave. Take the elevator or descend on the seemingly endless steps to 100m below the surface. After a short boat ride on the underground river, you can walk through some huge chambers to admire the stalagmites in your own time. The audio guide provides the story of the discovery of the cave and it also points out the most interesting formations.
If you need any help organising your trip to the Dordogne please contact us and we will help you plan your visit. Find out more!
