Gouffre de Padirac - Visiting The Padirac Chasm
Gouffre de Padirac lies in the Lot department in the Occitanie region of France. It is one of the most beautiful caves that I have been to till date. This spectacular underground site in France starts off with a descent down into a cave. You then meander through a number of passageways underground, going deeper and deeper into the earth before you embark on a boat to see more.
There are a large number of people who visit the underground network of caves every single day. That is why it is absolutely necessary to plan your trip so that you do not walk away disappointed.
We combined this with a day trip to Rocamadour and it was a really good idea because it was an incredibly hot day and the cool atmosphere down in the Gouffre de Padirac was a respite from the heat.
Let's delve into all the things that you need to consider when visiting the Gouffre de Padirac as so that you are well prepared for your trip.
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Table of Contents
What To Pack For Gouffre de Padirac
Sweater
The temperature inside the caves always remains at a constant 13C and the water remains at 12C. It does not change depending on season and the reason is because the rock acts as an excellent isolation material.
That means that carrying a light sweater to wear inside is advisable. We visited in July when the temperatures were around 40C outside and going inside was a bit of a temperature shock. It was also a welcome respite.
Good Footwear
The cave gets slippery and wet because of the water. Good footwear will make it easy to navigate through the Padirac chasm.
Change Of Clothes
We did not require a change of clothes but we did get slightly wet here and there. We dried off quickly. We were in the middle of a heatwave so we really did not mind. It cooled us down. If you visit during the cooler months, you may prefer to change into something dry so that you are more comfortable.
Things To Know Before Visiting The Padirac Chasm
Book Your Ticket In Advance
The Padirac Chasm is one of the most visited underground attractions in Europe. There are hundreds of people who head there every single day.
That is why it is important to book your ticket in advance. You can choose what time you want to head in and plan your day around it.
Arrive 15 minutes In Advance
You stand in a queue 15 minutes before and then get your tickets checked. You will enter the Padirac chasm at your time. The people who work here do their best to make sure that there are no delays along the way.
Use The Toilets Before Entering The Gouffre De Padirac
It should go without saying but there are no toilets once you enter the Gouffre de Padirac. That's why you should make a stop at the toilets before entering. This is especially true if you travel with young children.
The Padirac Chasm Is Not Wheelchair Or Stroller Friendly
The whole complex is not wheelchair or stroller friendly. There are elevators that take you down and there are pathways but there are also loads of steps that you need to cover. If you are traveling with a baby consider using a baby carrier instead.
Photography And Videography Are Allowed Without Flash Except On The Boat
You can click photos and shoot videos through the complex. You can get some really stunning shots. The boat ride however is the exception. You cannot use your phone or camera here due to safety reasons. There is an automated photograph that is clicked for you during the ride so you can get a copy if you want.
Getting To Gauffre De Padirac
I haven't come across any tours that head to Gauffre de Padirac so this is one of those offbeat attractions that you have to figure out on your own. So first off you have to drive there. There is plenty of parking that is available near the site so that's one less thing that you have to worry about.
If you need to rent a car, check out Discover Cars. They let you compare prices across all the big rental companies and help you get the best deal for the time you are traveling.
The Route Through The Padirac Chasm
Let's talk about what the route through Gouffre de Padirac feels like. I'll just detail it from my experience so you know what to expect.
Collect Your Audio Guides
You are given instructions and handed out audio guides based on the language of your preference. The audio guides are pretty cool. They can be worn as headphones sitting over your ears or hung around the neck for smaller children to use them as a small portable speaker. Very practical!
The guide auto plays at intervals so you don't even have to punch in any buttons. It also leaves your hands free.
Descend The Padirac Well
The view from below as you gaze up the Padirac well.
Once you are done with your audio guides, you can choose your mode of descent. Either take the steps down into the mouth of the Padirac well or take the escalator. It's not a long climb and our kids aged 5 & 6 managed it easily. The change in temperature comes to the forefront and it was such a welcome respite from the heat.
Make sure to pause and look up. The view is magnificent. It is also amazing when you consider how fast you reach so deep into the cave.
The Walk Through The Padirac Chasm
One of the many paths through Gouffre de Padirac.
You then start walking through the Padirac Chasm. There is plenty to see as you go and I won't enumerate on everything. What I will say is that there is no rush. You can pause and take in your surroundings. Look up because it isn't just what you see ahead but what lies above your head.
In some places you can barely see the ceiling. Some paths are narrow and others widen up immensely. You'll see water flowing and joining the underground river. The water is a greenish blue depending on the illumination.
Boat Ride
The boat ride usually has a line before it. It moves quickly enough but expect to be there for atleast 10 minutes before you board the boat. You will have to scan the QR code of your ticket here so keep it ready.
While in the boat you aren't allowed to take photographs or videos. This is for safety reasons. The water in the underground river can reach 8 meters high in some regions. Generally the depth is about 2 meters high.
Your guide will tell you about the iconic landmarks while steering you through the river. What I found interesting is that there are no fish in the water. The water is not potable but that was something that was expected. There are however small white shrimp that are as small as a grain of rice that live in the water. They are blind. It led us to wonder how the addition of artificial light may have disturbed their delicate ecosystem.
Some More Geogological Wonders
Once you are done with the boat, you will continue meandering around the pathways to see more geological marvels. You will see natural dams filled with water, huge stalactite and stalagmites. You then circle back to take the boat back.
Boat Ride
You will now take the boat back the same way you came. The photograph will automatically be clicked while you are on your way back. Make sure that you can be seen. My youngest got covered by the adult in front so we never really got ours.
Souvenir Shop
You will make your way back and exit via the souvenir shop which is in itself an interesting stop. Make sure to hand back your audio guides before you leave.
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