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🏛️ DepartmentLot (46)
📍 TownSaint-Jean-de-Laur
📌 Cave GPS44.433761, 1.853150 ↗
🅿️ Parking GPS—
↕ Maximum depth−12 m (S2)*
↔ Development3.805 m*
🗺️ SurveyView survey ↓
Character of Gouffre de l’Oule
Gouffre de l’Oule lies near Saint-Jean-de-Laur in the Lot. Historical descriptions identify it as an overflow of the nearby Lantouy system. The entrance is a striking shaft; a ladder is reportedly required to reach the water.
The cave alternates between sumps, long dry and sometimes muddy passages, and underground lakes. The supplied historic survey indicates approximately 3,805 m of development, including about 1,050 m underwater. Other publications give different totals, so these figures are specific to their source and date.
The supplied survey marks S1 (70 m, −5 m), S2 (260 m, −12 m), S3 (40 m, −3 m), S4 (170 m, −4 m), S5 (40 m, −3 m) and S6 (470 m, −6 m). Some lengths differ in the accompanying text. This historical survey is not a current navigation map.
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🗺️ Gouffre de l’Oule survey
Original historic cave plan and an AI-enhanced illustrative version. Click to enlarge.
Warning: the AI reconstruction may contain inaccuracies and must not be used for cave-diving navigation. The original survey is historic reference material only.
🗺️ Location
Saint-Jean-de-Laur, Lot (46)
ℹ️ Practical information
🚗ParkingNot confirmed; the historic directions mention an unpaved track that may not be drivable.
🚶ApproachVia Saint-Jean-de-Laur towards Mas del Petit, then an unpaved track down to a dry stream bed.
🌊EntranceShaft-like entrance; a ladder is reportedly required to reach the water.
⚙️ConfigurationSeveral sumps interspersed with long dry, sometimes muddy passages; equipment transport is demanding.
⚠️ConditionsOverflow of the Lantouy system; water level, silt and visibility may change.
🏛️PermissionCurrent access and permission are unconfirmed. Check locally in advance.
🛵DPVNo
📚 Sources & attribution
- Historic survey and access map supplied for this page. Text from “GROTTE DE L’OULE” (historic access directions and sump description). Measurements vary between sources; current access has not been verified.
- Spelunca n°77 (2000) — historique et topographie.
* Warning: the AI reconstruction may contain inaccuracies and must not be used for cave-diving navigation. The original survey is historic reference material only.
