Fontaine Saint-Georges (Montvalent)
The main active outlet of the underground river of Padirac, rising in a 30 m pool near Montvalent above the Dordogne. From -10 m a steep pebble passage drops to -29 m into a gallery about 10 m high and 15 m wide, which reaches an air-filled aven after 350 m. Sump 2 stays at 12–15 m for 700 m, then a ramp leads to -76 m before it surfaces at 1,230 m; Guy de Lavaur first dived here in 1948.
Facts
- Region: France – Lot cave springs
- Area: Dordogne & Ouysse (Rocamadour)
- Depth: 0–76 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: cave
- Coordinates: 44.88955, 1.618445
- Highlights: 30 m wide spring pool, gallery 10 m high and 15 m wide, outlet of the Padirac underground river, sump 2 descends to -76 m and surfaces at 1,230 m, first explored by Guy de Lavaur in 1948
- Tips: Park on the right just after the T-junction, not on the banks of the pool. 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. Sump 2 is a long, deep trimix/scooter dive.