Explore the lake of rain
After a punt along the Rivière Plane, the walls widen to reveal Lac de la Pluie. It will offer you an incredible unique view!
Its thin, cracked ceiling lets the raindrops from the surface flow through and constantly feed the lake.
Staying at our campsite near the Gouffre de Padirac is an opportunity to discover this incredible place in the heart of the Dordogne, and with the whole family.
Photo credits: © C.Gerigk – Société d’Exploitations Spéléologiques de Padirac.
Your campsite Padirac chasm
60 km from the campsite, visit the Gouffre de Padirac and dive into the bowels of the earth. Considered as one of the greatest geological curiosities of France, the site will seduce young and old curious. Take advantage of your stay to visit an unforgettable place. Take the time to visit this beautiful place with your family. You will take with you unforgettable memories. The little ones, as well as the big ones: everyone will leave with beautiful images in their head by staying at our campsite near the Gouffre de Padirac.
Discovered in 1889 by Edouard-Alfred Martel, the abyss of Padirac can be visited on foot and by boat. Descend to a depth of 103 meters and embark on an incredible boat ride on the underground river. Discover the Great Pendeloque, a giant stalactite of 60 m high.
Continue on foot to the Great Dome Hall, whose vault rises to a height of 94 meters. Admire the multiple concretions and cascades of calcite, shaped over thousands of years by nature.
Consult more information on the Padirac chasm
Photo credits: © C.Gerigk – Société d’Exploitations Spéléologiques de Padirac.
The Lake des Gours
Enjoy a moment of peace and quiet at the thousand-year-old dams. Underground adventures often herald new wonders.
Here, the discovery is made on foot, as Lac des Gours appears before you. At the bottom of the river, calcite dams are emerging. These natural landings, called gours, follow one another down to a peaceful pond, where you can enjoy the peace and quiet.
These landings were, however, severe obstacles to Edouard-Alfred Martel’s expeditions some 130 years ago, forcing him to carry his heavy boat over them and on through the water.
Photo credits: © C.Gerigk – Société d’Exploitations Spéléologiques de Padirac.
La salle of the large dome
A veritable mineral cathedral, the Grand Dome Room offers without a doubt the most majestic view of this entire incredible visit. Its ceiling reaches 94 meters. This gigantic hall is the result of intense erosion 2 million years ago. This makes it one of the largest underground chambers that can be visited in France.
Edouard-Alfred Martel described the Grand Dome Hall as an unfinished abyss. It seems that erosion stopped before creating a connection with the surface. Today’s climate is no longer conducive to limestone erosion. The structure of the room is now stable.
Photo credits: © C.Gerigk – Société d’Exploitations Spéléologiques de Padirac.