Grotte de Roland


Useful Information

Location: 4 km north of Montcuq, Departement Lot
Open: 02-APR to 08-MAY Tue-Thu, Sat, Sun 14:30-17.
09-MAY to 14-JUN Sat, Sun 14:30-17.
15-JUN to 30-JUN daily 14:30-17.
JUL to AUG daily at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17.
1-SEP to 15-SEP daily 14:30-17.
16-SEP to 01-NOV Sat, Sun 14:30-17.
[2010]
Fee: Adults EUR 5.30, Children (6-12) EUR 3.30.
[2010]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension: L=1,700 m.
Guided tours: L=410 m, D=60min
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Grotte de Roland, Nicole et Louis Vignoles, Roland, 46800 Montcuq, Tel: +33-565-229990. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1949 discovered.

Description

The Grotte de Roland was discovered in 1949 when a well was sunk. The cave was once open naturally and inhabited by Cave Bears (Ursus spelaeus) which left claw scratchens on the walls. Beneath the bones of cave bears, some bones of cave lions were found. During the Iron Age, in the Hallstatt Era (~700 BC), the cave was used as a cemetry. So the guided tours explain three different aspects of the cave, the geologic situation, the palaeontologic remains and the archaeological findings.

Grotte de Roland is named after its location, Roland is a small village, consisting only of half a dozen farms, located north of Montcuq. At Montcuq centre take the D653 northeast towards Cahors, at the last houses of the village turn left towards Roland.