Émergence du Ressel
The best-known cave dive in the Lot: the resurgence rises in the bed of the Célé about 1 km upstream of Marcilhac. Below 3 m the murky river gives way to clear spring water and a gravel slope leads into a large rectangular gallery at around 10 m, which splits at 120 m and rejoins at a shaft dropping in steps to -30, -45 and -55 m. Sump 1 continues for 1,870 m with a low point of -78 m; beyond it four more sumps follow, the fifth 1,340 m long. It is the classic training cave, and its car park is often full of cave divers' vans.
Facts
- Region: France – Lot cave springs
- Area: Célé valley
- Depth: 0–78 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: cave
- Coordinates: 44.5621, 1.771862
- Highlights: resurgence in the Célé riverbed, wide stratified gallery 8–12 m across, shaft from -30 to -55 m, sump 1 is 1,870 m long with a low point of -78 m, sumps 2–5 beyond, sump 5 is 1,340 m long, erosion scallops on the walls, bad air (high CO2) in the bivouac chamber beyond sump 2
- Tips: Kit up at the small roadside verge on the D41 about 1 km past Marcilhac; the entrance is in the river about 60 m upstream. A sign asks divers to keep the place clean and use the toilets in the village. Full Cave certification (TDI/IANTD/GUE/PSAI/CMAS Full Cave or FFESSM Plongeur Souterrain 3 equivalent) required; without it only as a student with a cave instructor. Beginners dive only the entrance section with an instructor. After heavy rain the Célé floods the entry – check Vigicrues.