Caverns and Caves
Tucked into the hillsides, there are numerous spectacular caverns and caves, perfect for escaping the heat on hot summer days. Here are some of the nicest ones we have visited.
Grotte de Villars
One of the most extensive underground networks in Périgord, with around 13 km of terrain explored so far. An underground river has shaped large chambers linked by passageways, and infiltrating waters have created a stunning natural landscape. During the guided tour, visitors can admire the beautiful calcite flows, fragile stalactites, pools, sheer draperies, and numerous stalagmites. It is notably the only cave in Périgord that contains genuine prehistoric paintings, which were discovered in 1958.
Grotte de Tourtoirac
Descending 25 meters underground, you enter a realm of dreams. As you follow the subterranean river, you encounter a vast array of formations in a setting that's both innovative and respectful of nature. The tour reveals the cave's formation over millennia, and the water's role in sculpting this enchanting landscape.
The cave is accessible to people with reduced mobility and pushchairs, providing tours led by multilingual guides or through audio guides with a magnetic loop for hearing impared and audio description.
Grotte de Lascaux
A prehistoric site discovered in 1940 by four teenagers near Montignac in the Dordogne. Opened to the public in 1948, the cave's extensive tourism led to damage, resulting in its closure in 1963. A replica, Lascaux 2, was opened in 1983. Later, in 2016, Lascaux 4, the international center for cave art, was inaugurated, offering a journey through prehistory with the aid of modern technology to enhance the visitor experience.