Gouffre du Saut de la Pucelle, Natural pit cave and losing stream near Rocamadour, France.
Gouffre du Saut de la Pucelle is a natural limestone sinkhole with a losing stream, its entrance situated about 10 meters below the D840 road. The underground system stretches over 3250 meters in length and descends to depths around 160 meters.
Édouard-Alfred Martel conducted the first explorations of the cave in the 19th century, establishing the foundation for future research. Throughout the 20th century, extensive expeditions followed that expanded understanding of the cave system.
The name comes from a local legend about a young woman who jumped across the chasm on her mule to escape a cruel lord who fell into the abyss. This tale still shapes how people think about and discuss the place today.
The entrance sits on private property and requires prior arrangement for access. Information panels at the site warn visitors about the hazards involved in exploring the cave system.
The entrance area features vertical grooves carved into the limestone, possibly used as historical water retention systems. These mysterious carved patterns suggest the site has been used and studied for a long time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
