Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Le gouffre de Proumeyssac is a natural cavity located in the commune of Audrix, in Black Perigord (Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine). Open to the public, this cave is distinguished by its large room of 42 meters deep and its remarkable geological formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites and rare triangular crystals in France. A local 18th-century legend associated this abyss with an evil home, because of the vapors escaping from the hole, interpreted as volcanic or evil smoke. This belief would have led to the deposit of many human and animal bodies in the cavity.

First explored in 1907 by Gabriel Galou, the abyss is nicknamed the "Crystal Cathedral" because of its impressive mineral concretions. Among its peculiarities is a petrifying fountain capable of transforming pottery into limestone objects in the space of one year, as well as triangular crystals, a geological rarity present in only three French caves. These elements make it a major scientific and tourist site, attracting more than 150,000 annual visitors in the early 2020s.

The gulf was also used as a cinematic setting, notably for Claude Chabrol's Le Boucher in 1969 and Vincent Mariette's Les Fauves in 2017. These shoots contributed to his fame, as did his ranking among the most popular natural sites in New Aquitaine. The cave opens in yellow limestones dated Maastrichtian (Cretaceous period), which also makes it a subject of study for geologists.

In 2018, the Proumeyssac gulf ranked fifth in terms of tourism use in New Aquitaine with 131,036 visitors. In 2022, it welcomed 158,000 visitors, becoming the sixth most visited site in the Dordogne department. These figures show its sustainable attractiveness, reinforced by activities such as the marketing of objects petrified by its natural fountain.

External links