We%26#39;re planning to visit Lascaux II, the Grotte de Rouffignac, the Grottes de Pech Merle, the Grottes de Font de Gaume, the Gouffre de Proumeyssac and the Gouffre de Padirac in the summer.
My parents will be travelling with us, and arthritis and a bad back make it difficult for my mother to manage stairs (she has coped with the Paris Metro on a few trips in the last couple of years, but she didn%26#39;t much relish the experience!)
I know the Grotte de Rouffignac has a train, but are there a lot of steps in the other caves? As a point of reference, I went to the cave at Lacave two years ago, and I think it would be too hard for her.
Thanks for your help,
Caitriona
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Unfortunately, caves are not particularly accessible.
If Lacave would be too hard for her, there really aren%26#39;t any that would be any easier.
Font de Gaume is a long hike up a steep hill, then picking your way through the dark cave. Absolutely not for the physically impaired.
Proumeyssac is descent by an elevator, but the walking trail is long and wet and more than a little slippery, although their website says that it is partially accessible to those in wheelchairs.
At Padirac, you have to be able to climb into a flat-bottomed rowboat -- which the pilot is kind enough to rock violently a few times.
At Lascaux you descend by a lift, but there%26#39;s a fair amount of walking -- although because that one was man-made, the walking is reasonably flat and level -- not so is most of the rest.
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Gouffre de Padirac actually also involves quite a long walk with stairs at various points in the trip, although probably one could do the boat part and then just wait there for the rest of the group to return.
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The worst part of this is trying to remember which one is which -- but yes, I remember the huge metal staircases at Padirac.
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About how long does it take an average person to climb up to the Font de Gaume? Is it like a paved path or loose rock/sand/or dirt? Are there any handholds?
I want to make sure we plan enough time for the climb to get there on time.
I%26#39;m not the person who has been to Lacave, so I don%26#39;t have that as a point of reference. Which caves/shelters are easiest/hardest?
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Lascaux II has a slightly sloped path leading into and through the cave. I recall no lift at all. It was really easy but also really interesting because of the methods used to recreate the real caves (which can no longer be exposed to the public for fear of permanent damage). The English guide was funny and did really well. Remember that these tours need to be booked in advance in the nearby town and that English tours are very popular and book up quickly.
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abgoing - you will meet at the ticket office, and then go as a group, so don%26#39;t worry about adding extra time to your tour time schedule (just get there a few minutes early, of course).
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Thanks for the feedback; I guess it%26#39;s just Rouffignac and maybe Lascaux II for them, then. Still, there are plenty of other fascinating things to do in the area, so it won%26#39;t be a problem!
Caitriona
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Greetings from South West France. I have not been to the other caves recently but have visited Font de Gaume. I fear that it may not be suitable. There is a 400 metre walk up the hill to the cave entrance and the official website tells you that the height climbed is 20 metres. see hominides.com/html/…grotte-font-de-gaume.htm. The slope is not very steep and there are not loads of steps. If you do go you will love it as it is an amazing site.
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I went to Font de Gaume last year with my 5 year old daughter and 11 year old son. It was fantastic, but I was thinking of my 70 year old father who is mobile, but not very agile. I would have been a basket case worrying about him climbing up to the caves at Font de Gaume. That said, there are some very wonderful things to see. The Roque St. Christopher has steps, but is manageable. The nearby village of Sarlat requires a bit of walking as well, but I would feel comfortable with my dad there. It%26#39;s a beautiful area....have fun!
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