The cave contains a specific area known as the 'Bat Observation Room' where visitors can view a colony via a camera feed to avoid disturbing the animals.
The site was discovered in 1904 when a local farmer found a sinkhole while working the land.
The cave floor features rare 'excentriques'—stalactites that grow in seemingly gravity-defying, twisted shapes due to air current fluctuations.
The paleontological deposits found in the sediment provide evidence of the climate transitions in the Corrèze region dating back to the Quaternary period.
The abyss serves as an important wintering site for several protected bat species in the Limousin region.
The Abyss of Fage (Gouffre de la Fage) is a subterranean natural site located near Noailles, France, consisting of two distinct limestone sinkholes. The site features a main abyss measuring approximately 35 meters deep, accessible via a metal staircase that descends into a fossilized gallery. Visitors can observe significant stalactite and stalagmite formations, including rare eccentrics and translucent draperies. The cave system is a protected site for local bat populations, including the Greater Horseshoe bat. Scientific excavations at the site have unearthed fossilized remains of prehistoric animals such as reindeer and cave lions. The environment inside the cave maintains a constant year-round temperature of approximately 12 degrees Celsius. It is one of the few caves in the region that focuses on both geological formations and the intersection of karst landscapes and wildlife conservation.
The viewing platform at the bottom of the main abyss looking upward toward the opening.
Wear a warm sweater or light jacket regardless of the outdoor temperature.
Use sturdy, non-slip footwear as the cave paths can be damp and uneven.
Check the official website for bat hibernation periods, as certain parts of the cave may be restricted to protect the colony.
Do not attempt to enter areas cordoned off for conservation research or bat protection.
Open seasonally, typically from spring through autumn; closed during winter months.
Maintain silence to avoid disturbing the bat colonies; do not touch the geological formations.
