i don't remember how tight the passageways were-- but the hike down there might be a little tough if you are not in shape.

Well, I used to go caving in VA fairly frequently with a caving instructor who always told us you could fit into places a third the size you'd think you could - and he was large and went into spaces inside caves that I would not venture into.

That said, I've been in Font-de-Gaume a dozen times or more and I'm 5'3" and 113 pounds and I've felt that parts of it are narrow, even for me. I honestly think you might not be able to do it...but again, part of that might be perception.

I would contact the folks at FdG and ask (you might want to calculate your weight in kilos to pose the question).

BTW, it is also a fairly steep climb up to the entrance on a fairly rocky, uneven path, so if you can't climb well, that might be a consideration also.

BTW, if you give up on FdG, consider the much smaller but still fascinating Grotte du Sorcier in St-Cirq-du-Bugue (it's next door to my house, so I know it well). There are a few steps involved in getting up to the entrance, but once inside, it's just an open space, plenty of room for anyone of any size, and though it's not nearly as impressive as FdG, it has chromatic paintings and even an engraving of a human form, which is unusual in the prehistoric caves.

Good luck!

Thank you both, I appreciate your quick replies!

I do pretty well with climbs, so that worries me less than the squeeze

Very good tip about asking FdG with weight in kilos. I think I will likely give it a pass if you've found places to be a little tight at 113 pounds, St. Cirq! Grotto du Sorcier sounds like a great alternative and I will investigate that option.

Again, thank you!

Well, trust me, Beth, there were always people a lot larger than I was in FdG who did just fine.

You can always go to Rouffignac and just take the tiny train that takes you into the cave, but it's not a chromatic cave; it's engravings and purportedly devoted to some sort of bear cult, I think. But that's way less interesting to me than the chromatic caves. I'll try to think of some more places that have less narrow passages.

I am 6'3" and was about 285 when I went to Font-de-Gaume. I remember the stooping was a lot more bothersome than anything related to my weight. However, at that time the path from the ticket office/souvenir shop was steep and rough in places. I would allow a lot of time for that, and if you don't need it, you can hang out at the entrance to the cave and watch the people.

Combarelles, which was the best cave we went to, is more difficult. It is narrower and "stoopier" but still possible for a larger person. It was also a bit damper when we were there, so I would leave my silk shirt behind

I went to Font de Gaume when I weighed eighty pounds more than I do now, and I was probably at least your size (although I am 5'6"). I do not remember thinking anything was a tight squeeze. At the beginning of the cave if I remember correctly the walls are not far from you on either side, but it was not an issue of having to squeeze through them. The path up took longer than I had anticipated, so I was huffing and puffing after hurrying to the top, but there was at least one bench along the way. And this was before my two knee replacements.

It was a highlight of my visit to the Dordogne, and I would not want to have missed it.

Thank you, all! I am larger than either of you, but I did as St. Cirq suggested and contacted Font-de-Gaume with my question. She said they would keep my reservation (I got a spot! One benefit of later-season travel), and if it didn't work, I could visit Cap Blanc.

I was also able to get reservations at Pech Merle. I have not seen the same kinds of comments regarding the narrowness of the caves for that site.

I think I have a couple of potential options. I appreciate your feedback!

There were no narrow passages at Pech Merle, as I recall. The cave is very large and wide.

Thank you, Nikki, that is great to know!

I'm glad you got a response from FdG, Beth. That was nice of them.

And I agree that Pech-Merle won't present any problems - it's quite a distance from the Dordogne, though. I trust you know that.

It was very nice of them!

I think I do, St. cirq. From the maps I've looked at, it appears to be about 2 1/2 to 3 hours one way from Sarlat. Does that sound right?

I'm 5'8", 250, and had no problems in the cave. It's a little narrow and dark in places, but it's more that you've got a group of folks rather than having a particularly large person. I wouldn't worry about it at all. You'll probably find the climb up to the cave entrance more taxing than moving about in the case.

Yes, that's about right, Beth. You might want to plan an overnight in the area, as it would make for a long day, and there are other things you might want to investigate close by, but I don't know if that would fit into your plans or not.

Hi - I just visited Font de Gaume last month (July 2012) and recommend it highly! It is completely worth the journey to see the incredible cave paintings that may not be open to the public much longer.

Want to share with you that our tour guide at the site was quite overweight, I'd say at least 300 lbs, and although some passages are narrow, she fit through just fine. So I say go for it! If she can do it, so can you.

You should know that the hike up to the cave entrance includes both steps and a steep path. It's not really long, but I think that would be the more physically challenging part. My teenage daughter certainly complained about it! I suggest you arrive early and take your time going up - there is a landing at the cave entrance where you can rest before the tour starts.

Bon voyage and enjoy the caves!