Grotte de Lacave

Useful Information

Location:	Near Rocamadour.
Open:	15-MAR to 31-MAR daily 10-12, 14-17. APR to JUN daily 9:30-12, 14-17:30. JUL daily 9:30-12, 13:30-18. 01-AUG to 25-AUG daily 9:30-18. 26-AUG to SEP daily 9:30-12, 14-17:30. OCT daily 10-12, 14-17. [2011]
Fee:	Adults EUR 9, Children (5-14) EUR 5.50. [2011]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:	L=1,600 m, D=90 min. V=150,000/a [2000]
Photography:	Allowed.
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotte de Lacave, F-46200 Lacave, Tel: +33-565-378703, Fax: +33-565-378937. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

09-APR-1902	discovered by Armand Viré and friends.
17-MAY-1905	cave opened to the public.
1947	cave sold to Jean Hélie.
1961	electric train installed.

Description

The Grotte de Lacave is entered through an artificial tunnel, 400 m long and 6 m high, with an electric train. The cave is very well decorated but unfortunately many formations are fenced to prevent visitors touching them.

The cave was discovered by Armand Viré, a friend of E.A. Martell, on the 09-APR-1902. He discovered 500 m of galleries and the huge chamber named Saint Sol. But to reach this cavern a descent and ascent of more than 60 m was necessary. It was clear, this was not suitable for a show cave. So he decided to build a tunnel. With 12 men who worked in two shifts, a day shift and a night shift, he built the tunnel in 15 months. The show cave was inaugurated on 17-MAY-1905.

The electric train which is used today was installed in 1961. In earlier years the cave was entered by foot. The train brought not only more comfort for the visitors, it also allowed to transport much more visitors into the cave.