The Gouffre at Padirac

The Gouffre at Padirac is a natural, 75 metre chasm that shows on the limestone plateau of the "Causse de Gramat" in the Lot, below which, at 103 metres underground flows a river.

On a very dark night, Saint Martin, with his mule at his side, was walking over the Causse (the limestone plateau). He was feeling discouraged at finding not a single soul deserving to go directly to Heaven.

Suddenly, Satan appeared before him, his haversack full of the damned from the Causse. Seeing the sad face of Saint Martin, Satan suggested he could win a batch of the damned.

Saint Martin armed with all his courage, spurred his mount and with a single stupendous bound, leapt to other side of the abyss, leaving behind a hoof print in the rock that is still visible today.

Satan, overcome by panic, disappeared into the depths of the chasm.