Monday morning we headed off under uncertain skies to visit the Gouffre de Padirac, a favourite from the 2008 trip.
“The chasm itself is approximately 99 m around its rim with a diameter of approximately 35 metres. Visitors descend 75 m via a lift or a staircase before entering the cave system. The cave, at a depth of 103 metres, contains a subterranean river system that is partly negotiable by boat.”
I think the first time visitors were impressed and certainly our calves got a great work out!
Discovering over lunch that we were a mere 13kms from Rocamadour, I decided to brave the goat track that masquerades as a road that we had tackled last year and attempt another visit.
Fortuitously we managed to approach from the opposite angle to last year and were rewarded with the stunning vista of the gravity defying village that consistently ranks as one of France's most visited tourist sites.
With an entertaining backdrop provided by a trio of talented troubadours we managed some retail therapy and cultural indulgence as well as (over) extending our weary calf muscles.
Late afternoon we tore ourselves away and were unexpectedly rewarded on the way home by the colourful spectacle of multiple hang gliders hovering like giant butterflies over the verdant landscape.
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We were woken Tuesday morning by heavy rain but nonplussed given that this morning we had tickets to visit Lascaux IV.
“Lascaux, is the setting of a complex of caves near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne in southwestern France. Over 600 parietal wall paintings decorate the interior walls and ceilings of the cave. The paintings are primarily of large animals, typical local and contemporary fauna that correspond with the fossil record of the Upper Paleolithic time. The drawings are the combined effort of many generations, and with continued debate, the paintings are estimated around 17,000 years BP.” (Thanks Wikipedia)
You can read more ( http://www.lascaux.fr/fr) but essentially these caves are of such importance and fragility that a replica cave (Lascaux II) was created when the damage to the original cave by more than one million visitors was realised. We had visited this on the '08 trip and really enjoyed it but the opening of Lascaux IV in December 2016 has taken the experience to a new level.
With the help of modern technology, over 90% of the cave has been accurately recreated and it is easy to forget that you are in a replica….
The artwork and engravings were absolutely stunning and well worth the relatively modest entrance fee of 16 euro. The whole experience took over two hours, firstly with an English speaking guide and then 'free time' in the workshop area with multiple interactive displays.
By the time we had finished at Lascaux we received news that Rosey had safely negotiated the drive from Bordeaux and was waiting for us in Sarlat MacDonald's – maccas because it has wifi and is easy to find, not for any culinary desires!
Stocked up with groceries we headed back to show Rosey around 'our' home whilst Russell cooked a delicious cassoulet for dinner.
Late in the day we received confirmation that our hot air balloon flight was confirmed for tomorrow night, still weather permitting but looking favourable!
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