Cave diving in the Lot

In the Célé, Lot and Ouysse valleys dozens of springs rise from the limestone, so close together that from Marcilhac-sur-Célé you can dive a different cave every day. You start in the Ressel, the region's training cave, then move on to big galleries such as Cabouy and Saint-Georges, or to tight passages, chains of sumps and deep shafts. Every cave here calls for full cave certification, and the water is cold, around 13–14 °C. Visibility varies a lot: at the Cabouy entrance it is often zero, in Saint-Georges often 3–4 m. Some springs are closed or on private land, so keep a few caves in reserve.

Don't miss

• Émergence du Ressel: the region's training cave: at ~-3 m the murky Célé water gives way to clear spring water, and a gallery 8–12 m wide leads to the T at ~180 m.
• Source de Landenouse: a large karst spring between steep cliffs near Cajarc, with an easy entry and a shallow first section where a parallel line lets you practise navigation.
• Gouffre de Cabouy: behind a large spring pool near Rocamadour a huge passage with giant potholes drops to -31 m: a true power cave.
• Fontaine de Saint-Georges: this is where the Padirac river resurfaces, in a main gallery about 10 m high and 15 m wide that has been connected with Padirac since 2003.

On a rest day

• Gouffre de Padirac: Descend the huge shaft and take a boat along the underground river, dry for once.
• Grotte du Pech Merle: A real cave near Cabrerets with prehistoric paintings, including its famous spotted horses.
• Saint-Cirq-Lapopie: The medieval village sits high on a rock above the Lot, with narrow lanes and views over the valley.
• Rocamadour: The pilgrimage town built against the cliff of the Alzou gorge, close to Cabouy.

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