The Dordogne region of France has literally hundreds of caves, many of them open for the public to visit. These caves ('grottes' in French) fall into two categories - caves that are famous for the prehistoric paintings that they contain; and caves that are more renowned for their rock formations - stalactites, stalagmites, and other curious shapes formed by the effects of water over thousands of years.
Both types of cave are equally fascinating. It is not possible to view the cave paintings without feeling a strange connection with our ancestors that once stood in exactly the same place, or to stand in one of the great underground caverns without being overawed by the beauty of nature.
I have not attempted to separate the two categories because many of the caves in the region have both prehistoric paintings AND rock formations, but the descriptions of the individual caves below describe the main features of each set of caves.
Main caves and grottes in the Dordogne region
Les Eyzies de Tayac
Because there are so many caves in the Les Eyzies region I have given them a separate page: caves of Les Eyzies, Dordogne
Les Grottes de Maxange
Newly discovered in 2000, these caves at Le Buisson de Cadouin are now open to the public. Special focus has been given to the lighting of the formations of the spectacular rock formations.
These caves have several very unusual formations in addition to the
stalactites and stalagmites - formed by capillary action rather than dripping
water, these curious formations twist and turn in all directions.
Troglodyte Fort (Recommended)
These are cliff side dwellings, dating from the 12th century, rather than underground caverns, and are found 40 metres up the cliffs at La Roque-Gageac on the Dordogne River.
Gouffre de Proumeyssac (Highly Recommended)
Near Le Bugue, a little north of the Dordogne River at Limeuil, the caves at Proumeyssac are highly renowned. The main feature is the enormous 'Cathedral of Crystal' - a stunning, huge and beautifully lit cavern. You can pay extra and enter by a suspended basket lowered by a horse, the traditional method!
Lascaux II Caves at Montignac
See separate page for Lascaux caves
Grotte de Villars
A great spectacle of lighting and water bring these caves to life, and truly show the various rock formations at their best. There are also renowned prehistoric paintings, including an unusual painting of a person (usually only animals were painted in prehistoric paintings) to see.
After your visit there is a play area for the children.
Near Brantome.
Gouffre de Padirac (Highly Recommended)
See separate page for Gouffre de Padirac
