BethD34

I would really love to visit Font-de-Gaume, especially since I see that it may close to visitors at some point in the future. I have already inquired about reservations for our trip in October. My question is whether I will be too large to take a tour, as I have read that the entrance and passageways are narrow. I'm wondering if anyone has had experience, or has seen others having the experience, of being too large to fit. I am 5'9" and am considered morbidly obese. Obviously I want to be respectful of others in the group and of not brushing against the walls. Other suggestions if this is not a possible option?
Thank you.

kawh

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.

StCirq

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!

BethD34

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!

StCirq

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.

Ackislander

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

Nikki

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.

BethD34

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!

Nikki

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

BethD34

Thank you, Nikki, that is great to know!

StCirq

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.

BethD34

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?

twk

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.

StCirq

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.

VousAllez

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!

BethD34

Thank you so much, twk and VousAllez for your input, too! I am definitely going to give it a try and will report back after my trip in October. And thank you to all of you who have given fair warning about the climb to the entance. It is good to know what to expect!

nikifl

Hi Beth I was wondering how the trip to font de gaume went. I am getting ready to go myself and was worried about the climb. I'm more worried about the pace of the climb and if I can take my time, or if you have to walk up with a group quickly. Any feedback is much appreciated.

Nikki

When I went, you met up with the group at the top of the path, at the entrance to the cave. You could climb up whenever you liked. But that was a good many years ago, so I don't know for certain whether that is still the procedure.

janisj

Welcome to Fodors nikifl. The thread is five years old and Beth hasn't been on the boards in years. Hopefully Nikki's info is helpful but you also might want to start a new thread of your own.

PalenQ

Curious if they still take folks thru on punt boats-and ours -years ago - was punted by a guy, incredibly, smoking a Gaulloise cigarette in those environs- and the guy was very heavy - I have pictures of him -but after boat yes there were some tight squeezes - but is the tour still partly by boat?