What to do and see in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: The Best Caverns & Caves

April 22, 2022 Jeremy Dunfee

Discover the best top things to do in Ardeche, France including Aven Grotte Forestiere, Aven d'Orgnac Grand Site de France, Escale Aventure, Grotte Saint-Marcel, Balmes de Montbrun, Grotte Chauvet 2 - Ardeche, Grotte de la Madeleine, Grotte Chauvet, Grotte de Neron, Le Trou de la Lune.
Restaurants in Ardeche

1. Aven Grotte Forestiere

Col de la Forestiere, 07150 Orgnac-l'Aven France +33 4 75 38 63 08 [email protected] http://www.grotte-ardeche.fr
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 208 reviews

Aven Grotte Forestiere

The Grotte Forestière, finally a place of freedom, easy access (55 steps only) for all ages and even very young children, a natural cavity arranged for you to visit at your own pace in an original way, equipped with headlamps provided to each. The ability to take photos and stop the time you want to contemplate incredible tree roots and unique crystallizations in the shape of marine corals. Explanatory panels inform you intelligently about the underground environment. On the surface everything is done to take the time to live, with many wooden games, mini golf for visitors of the cave and fossil workshops for children. A snack, a shop and beautiful thematic walks start from the place.

2. Aven d'Orgnac Grand Site de France

La Grotte & Cite de la Prehistoire 2240 route de l'Aven, 07150 Orgnac-l'Aven France +33 4 75 38 65 10 [email protected] http://www.orgnac.com
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,920 reviews

Aven d'Orgnac Grand Site de France

The Cave and the Cité de la Préhistoire - Aven d' Orgnac in Ardèche - 30 mn from Vallon Pont-d'Arc and the Chauvet Cave (Unesco since June 2014). The Aven d'Orgnac has the label Grand Site de France, label of sustainable tourism rewarding the most beautiful French landscapes.

Reviewed By hollyblue5 - Thatcham, United Kingdom

Stupendously, jaw-droppingly, gob-smackingly amazing! English tour was perfect, really informative. Such amazing calcite formations that have be seen to be believed. I want to go back!

3. Escale Aventure

rue du Lavoir, 07220 Saint-Montan France +33 4 75 52 54 98 [email protected] http://www.escale-ardeche.com/
Excellent
86%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 502 reviews

Escale Aventure

Escale caving guides gives you acces to the underground Ardèche near by the Grotte Chauvet Pont d'Arc and the Gorges de l'Ardèche. Descend avens, browse galleries, admire millennia crystals discover underground rivers ... Open the doors of this wonderful world and dare caving ! We welcome you in the beautiful country of Saint Montan, medieval village surrounded by nature, caves, canyons, rivers.

4. Grotte Saint-Marcel

2759 Route des Gorges, 07700 Bidon France +33 4 75 04 38 07 [email protected] http://www.grotte-ardeche.com
Excellent
49%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 467 reviews

Grotte Saint-Marcel

The cave of Saint Marcel d'Ardèche contains a vast network of underground galleries, amazing basins, eccentric formations, immense rooms with evocative names such as "the Fontain of the Virgin", "the hall of Kings", the "Painters Gallery"...

5. Balmes de Montbrun

07580 Saint-Gineis-en-Coiron France http://www.patrimoine-ardeche.com/visites/balmes_montbrun_n.htm
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 46 reviews

Balmes de Montbrun

6. Grotte Chauvet 2 - Ardeche

4941 route de Bourg Saint Andeol Plateau du Razal, 07150, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc France +33 4 75 94 39 40 [email protected] http://www.grottechauvet2ardeche.com/
Excellent
56%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,528 reviews

Grotte Chauvet 2 - Ardeche

Discover the first masterpiece of humanity from 36000 years ago: hundreds of hunting, running or fighting animals drawn from life. In a 20 hectare park, the grotte Chauvet 2 - Ardeche (largest cave replica in the world) recreates the magic of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Chauvet cave. Who were our artistic ancestors? What world did they live in? What animals surrounded them? Explore the Aurignacian Gallery to find out! The entrance ticket includes a guided tour of the cave, a self-guided tour of the Aurignacian Gallery and access to activities and workshops for the whole family during school holidays. Have lunch at our restaurant and enjoy its panoramic view. And don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for unique souvenirs! Must-see in 2019 From April 6. To September 22., discover our major exhibition: OF LIONS AND MEN, Feline mythology: 400 centuries of fascination. Booking on : www.grottechauvet2ardeche.com Open all year round.

Reviewed By D8279RYchriss - Missoula, United States

A great exhibit with fascinating information about the Chauvet Cave and the paleolithic period in France. The museum is amazing and the cave re-creation is unbelievable. So well done. This is really worth the trip to get there.

7. Grotte de la Madeleine

Route Touristique des Gorges de l'Ardeche, 07700 Saint-Remeze France +33 4 75 04 35 06 [email protected] http://www.grottemadeleine.com
Excellent
39%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 449 reviews

Grotte de la Madeleine

Reviewed By Princessjaynie - Lincoln, United Kingdom

This cave unlike a lot of others doesn't seem as well advertised or quite as commercialised as some, but oh boy! What a hidden gem. The Grotte itself is so pretty, and not as tall as some so you could get good views of all the rock formations. It is quite narrow in places, and their are loads of steps. Some of the stair cases are very narrow with steps that weren't very deep......and all those steps had to be climbed to get back out, though we weren't hurried by the Guide. Whilst I don't want to put anyone off, it is something to bear in mind if you have health issues or dodgy knees!! Probably not suited to very young children though. We had the Audio guide which was great. There is plenty of parking. Before you access the cave there is a garden area with stunning views over the Ardeche and across the gorge.....and it is so peaceful. There is a small gift shop and cafe, they have hot and cold drinks, snacks and a tasty panini! Not a huge selection, but ok. Well worth a visit.

8. Grotte Chauvet

07150, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc France +33 4 75 94 39 40 https://www.cavernedupontdarc.fr/
Excellent
60%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
20%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 20 reviews

Grotte Chauvet

9. Grotte de Neron

07130 Soyons France
Excellent
44%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
11%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 27 reviews

Grotte de Neron

10. Le Trou de la Lune

Boulevard de Libie, 07170 Saint-Maurice-d'Ibie France
Excellent
43%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
14%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 14 reviews

Le Trou de la Lune

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