Padirac Cave

The cave contains a subterranean river system that is partly negotiable by boat, and it is regarded as "one of the most extraordinary natural phenomena of the Massif Central".

[1] The Padirac river continues underground for about 16 km (9.9 mi) until it flows into the Dordogne at the Montvalent Cirque.

[2] The chasm was created at an undetermined point in time when the roof collapsed into a large internal cavern.

The first tourists visited the cave on 1 November 1898; however, the site was officially opened for tourism on 10 April 1899 by Georges Leygues, the 87th Prime Minister of France (then called président du conseil).

Much of the credit for opening the cave system is owed to Guy de Lavaur [fr] (1903–1986), who came to Padirac in 1938 and managed to penetrate 15 km (9.3 mi) of the passages.