grotte de Tourtoirac

Grotte de Tourtoirac is a concretion-filled cave in the commune of Tourtoirac, tucked into the northeastern corner of the Dordogne department on the edge of the area known as Périgord Vert. Carved into the limestone above the Auvézère valley, it ranks among the more recently opened show caves in the region.

Where is the cave and how was it found?

The site sits roughly forty minutes' drive from Périgueux, close to the village of Hautefort. Caver Jean-Luc Sirieix first broke through into the cave on 28 January 1995, but a narrow underground stream at the natural entrance kept it sealed off from casual access for years afterward. Engineers eventually solved the problem by drilling an artificial shaft, and the cave finally opened to visitors in 2010.

What is inside?

A walking circuit of several hundred metres winds through chambers thick with mineral formations. Stalactites and stalagmites appear at every stage of growth, from the first slender needles to massive columns where floor and ceiling have fused together. Alongside these classic shapes, the galleries hold draperies, gour pools, hair-thin fistules hanging from the rock, and rarer curiosities such as eccentrics and aragonite crystals. In places, calcite-laden water has coated the walls in cascading sheets that catch the light like frozen waterfalls.

What does a visit involve?

Access starts with a descent of about 25 metres by lift, after which a level, paved path leads through the cave — a layout that works well for wheelchairs and pushchairs alike. Guided tours run about an hour, and the temperature underground holds steady around 13°C, so a light layer is worth bringing regardless of the season above ground. The entire circuit is lit with LED fixtures, a choice that reflects the cave's status as one of the last in Périgord to be opened for tourism and fitted out with current best practice for protecting a fragile underground environment. An audio guide is available for visually impaired visitors, and the site has been adapted for several categories of disability.

When can you visit?

The cave welcomes visitors from March through November, with additional openings in February and around the Christmas school holidays; exact hours shift with the season. Because the interior temperature never really changes, timing a visit is mostly a matter of matching the published calendar rather than chasing good weather above ground.

FAQ

Where exactly is the Grotte de Tourtoirac? In the commune of Tourtoirac, in the Auvézère valley in northeastern Dordogne, within the Périgord Vert area, about 40 minutes from Périgueux.

When was the cave discovered? On 28 January 1995, by speleologist Jean-Luc Sirieix. It opened to the public in 2010.

How long does a visit take? A standard guided tour lasts about an hour and covers several hundred metres of gallery.

Is the cave wheelchair accessible? Yes. The lift descent and the flat walking path make it accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

What is the temperature inside? Around 13°C year-round.