In the heart of Périgord, beneath the Bastide town of Domme, a village listed as one of France's "most beautiful villages", lies an underground gem, the Grotte de Domme. Less than 8 km from our open-air hotel in the Périgord at Slow Village Périgord, set out to conquer the largest cave in Périgord Noir, with its colonnades, stalactites and stalagmites, draperies and water mirrors.
Domme isone of France's most beautiful villages, and from the top of its rocky promontory, this medieval bastide will take you back to the time of the Knights Templar, as you discover the traditional heritage of the Périgord.
Domme was erected in 1281 by Philippe III le Hardi during the crusade against the Albigensians, and has had a tumultuous history, having had to defend itself against multiple invaders.
Then, in 1307during the trial of the Knights Templar, the bastide of Domme became a place where the Knights Templar were imprisoned in the Porte des Tours, one of the jewels of Périgord. Domme has preserved engravings engravings made by the Templars themselves on the walls of their prisons. Seven different paintings have been engraved, relating toreligious iconography and still retain all their mysteries today.
The history of Domme was also influenced by the Hundred Years' WarDuring the Wars of Religion, it was taken in turn by the Protestants, then retaken by the Catholics. Finally, it had to contend with "jacqueries de croquants" in 1594 and 1637.
La medieval city allows visitors to discover its discover its rampartsramparts fortified gatesas well as the curious cave beneath the bastide.
Theentrance to the Domme cave is via the village square, under the 17th-century Halle. This underground gem invites you to explore 450 meters of gallery leading to the public garden, and the panoramic elevator back up offers one of the finest views of the Dordogne valley.
The temperature in the cave varies between 13 and 15°C and the guided tour of the Domme cave takes 45 minutes. Guided tours of this 100% natural site are given in French, with booklets available in English, Spanish, German and Dutch. However, it is possible to organize guided tours for groups in English or Spanish, by prior arrangement.
In 2021, the magnificent concretion grotto has been given a facelift. The path has been redesigned and refurbished with new, more environmentally-friendly lighting. You'll be able todiscover or rediscover the concretions, reliefs, colors and depths that make the Domme cave so beautiful. You'll be plunged into a world of emotions, with a succession of atmospheres and light effects that make the water in the pools dance and the draperies become translucent.
In each room, you'll discover unique treasures with colonnades, ceilings adorned with thousands of stalactites and fistulas, stalagmites, draperies and water mirrors.
Since summer 2022, the Domme cave has been offering a sound and light show during the summer season.
The Domme caves can be visited all year round, and departure times depend on the season.
The rates are as follows:
There are also special rates for disabled people and their companions, and for groups of 20 or more.
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The Grotte des Combarelles, a true prehistoric gem, lies in the heart of the Vézère Valley in the Dordogne. Located some 25 km south-east of Périgueux, the cave is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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