The Gouffre de Padirac (daily guided tours: April to mid-July & Sept & Oct 9am–noon & 2–5/6pm; last two weeks July 9am–6.30pm; Aug 8.30am–6.30pm; €7.70) is about 20km east of Rocamadour on the other side of the main Brive–Figeac road. An enormous limestone sinkhole, about 100m deep and over 100m wide, it contains some spectacular formations of stalactites and waterfalls created by the accumulation of lime, and beautiful underground lakes, but is very, very popular – so much so that it's best avoided at weekends and other peak periods, or you'll wait an age for tickets. Visits are partly on foot, partly by boat, and the guided tours last an hour and a half. In wet weather you'll need a waterproof jacket. If you have no car, the nearest gare SNCF is Rocamadour-Padirac, more than 10km to the west; the only alternative is walking or hitching.
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