Moon Mausoleum
An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.
Step into the unknown and explore the mysterious Padirac Cave in France. From stunning rock formations to underground rivers there are many dark stories that have been told about this place.
Step into the unknown and explore the mysterious Padirac Cave in France. From stunning rock formations to underground rivers there are many dark stories that have been told about this place.
Prepare to be amazed as you explore the mysterious Padirac Chasm in France, or as it is called in France, Gouffre de Padirac. It is an enormous cave in Lot in the Occitanie Region in Southern France.
With its stunning rock formations and underground rivers, this natural wonder is sure to leave an impression. Along with the sights, the cave also comes with some eerie tales of ghosts that have been told over its many years in existence.
The Gouffre de Padirac was discovered, or at least throughout explored in 1889 by Frenchman, Edouard-Alfred Martel, who explored its almost 100m deep abyss.
The chasm itself was made in an unknown point in time however when the roof of the cave collapsed and opened the abyss. We do know though that the cavern existed all the way back in the 3rd century. In the 1400s and 1500s it was even inhabited.
During the Hundred Years War and the Wars of Religion, the locals used the intricate cave system of Gouffre de Padirac as a shelter from the raging battles.
Today over 400 000 tourists come to explore the caves, and as you explore the place, you can imagine the intrigue that greeted this fascinating discovery. Along with its stalagmites, underground rivers and rock formations, Padirac Cave will take your breath away.
As you descend the 33m wide, 10m high entrance of Padirac Cave, you will be immediately amazed at the incredible rock formations that line the walls of limestone. Some are painted in colors like red and yellow while others look like shimmering ice-sculpted mounds.
An underground river flows through the depths of the cave and can be seen and heard snaking through as you approach its 77m deep abyss. The galleries were hollowed out around one or two million years ago. The river also creates a mesmerizing misty spray which adds a mystical atmosphere to your tour.
It’s no wonder that Gouffre de Padirac is believed by many to be the work of Lucifer himself. The long winding paths, deep crevices and dark abyss have become home to many legends and mysteries
It is said that Saint Martin, a man traveling to spread the word of God to the locals, was passing by and suddenly Lucifer stood before him with a number of souls of peasants condemned to hell he was leading them into. Lucifer made the Gouffre with a swipe of a talon and challenged Saint Martin.
He had to cross the Gouffre de Padirac, the entire abyss, the very way to hell to save the souls condemned for hell. To win this challenge, Saint Martin jumped with his mule over it all. The mule left the imprint of his hoof when he landed, and it is said you can still see it to this day.
One of the more persistent legends about this abyss and a hole in the earth is that there is a hidden treasure hidden in the depths of Gouffre de Padirac.
There are still tales about flames coming from the caves. Popular belief is that it is to protect a treasure that the English hid away during the Hundred Years War when the end was near and they knew they had lost.
Since the late 1600s, countless visitors have reported a range of mysterious phenomena that appear to make this French cave amazing. From spooky glow-in-the-dark creatures dotted throughout the walls and ceilings to haunting whispers late at night when all other sounds go silent, there is certainly no lack of wonder or enchantment that can be found here.
Stories of lost adventurers never escaped their explorations and tales of long forgotten relics awaken ancient legends amongst curious visitors.
