A fortified church, a cave known as the “Crystal Cathedral” and several hiking trails give Audrix a range of different attractions. You can plan your stay around your interest in architectural history, a cave visit or an outdoor excursion.
Cave visits and practical information
The Gouffre de Proumeyssac is located in the municipality of Audrix and is considered the largest developed cave in the Périgord. Its nickname, “Crystal Cathedral,” refers to the crystal formations, which you can see on a one-hour guided tour. Modern lighting and music are part of the tour.
Another option is a descent in a gondola that rotates 360 degrees and holds up to eleven people. The tour and the gondola offer different ways to experience your visit: the tour is said to last one hour, while the gondola rotates and has limited capacity. As technical and operational details may change, check the Gouffre’s current information before your visit.
For wheelchair users, a gently sloping tunnel leads to a viewing balcony. Audio guides, as well as booklets in Braille with raised illustrations, support visitors during their visit. This information describes specific facilities on site and can help you plan your visit according to your needs.
Church, history and culture
The Église Saint-Pierre was fortified during the Hundred Years’ War. Its 14th-century polygonal defensive tower has loopholes. The Boucle du Bourg d’Audrix provides further historical context: it leads to the Romanesque church of Audrix, which dates from the 12th century and was modified in the 14th century.
Cultural activities also complement the themes of architecture and history. Ludodrix displays games, toys and children’s books dating from 1830 to the beginning of the 21st century, and offers themed activities and exhibitions. Morescarole runs workshops on medieval dance, conferences, medieval balls, dance events and performances. If you have a particular date in mind, check the programme in advance.
Hiking trails and landscapes
The Boucle de la MĂ©lonie is listed as 5.8 kilometres long, with an easy difficulty level and an approximate walking time of one hour and 50 minutes. The signposted route can be followed on foot, on horseback or by mountain bike. It leaves the road and heads towards Gravard along a forest track. Along the way, there is a viewpoint towards Le Bugue.
The Boucle des Combes is described by its route: it starts at the municipal swimming pool car park, passes the church and then reaches the Route de Proumeyssac. This lets you distinguish between the two trails using different information: the Mélonie route is described by its walking time, length and activities, while the starting point and landmarks help you find your way on the Combes route. Another trail, the Boucle du Bourg d’Audrix, leads to the Romanesque church.
The landscape includes a Natura 2000 zone in a limestone area, intended to protect fauna and flora. The protected ocellated lizard and grass snake may be found around Audrix; however, sightings are not guaranteed.
Seasonal activities
The Piscine municipale d’Audrix is a seasonal outdoor swimming pool with a large pool, a smaller children’s pool and a grassy sunbathing area. The time of year for the “tablées gourmandes” is also worth considering when planning a summer stay: these take place on Saturdays in July and August. Visitors can discover and sample local products there. Exact dates may vary from year to year, so check the dates for your travel year.
Discover more destinations: Angoisse, Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Montagnac-La-Crempse, Léguillac-De-l'auche, Saint-Pardoux-La-Rivière, Saint-Cernin-De-l'herm, Lempzours, Siorac-De-Ribérac.
Back to the broader travel guide: Dordogne.
