City: France
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What to do and see in France, France: The Best Caverns & Caves
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
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1. Aven d'Orgnac Grand Site de France
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,920 reviews
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!
2. Via Souterrata du Devoluy
3. Cave of Font-de-Gaume
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 764 reviews
The Font-de-Gaume cave is a marvellous example of prehistoric art from the Madgalenian period with a truly remarkable group of polychrome wall paintings and engravings. For reasons of conservation, the number of visitors is limited to 180 each day with a maximum of 12 people per group. Cave of the Vezere valley designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > 15th May to 15th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. > 16th September to 14th May: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Last visit at 4 p.m. Open in accordance with conservation necessities. Closed: > Saturdays. > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 7,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
Reviewed By wanderingwanda855 - Berkeley, United States
We visited on Sunday, October 13, 2019 and we arrived at 7:30 a.m., two hours before the ticket window opened at 9:30 a.m. It was dark and cool (but not cold) and we got seats #3 and #4. By 9:30 a.m., only about 15 of the 30 available seats where taken, which was surprising given all the posts indicating a much higher early turnout. Perhaps because it was after peak tourist season (?). One important note is the cave is closed on Saturdays. On the Sunday we visited, they were going to allow up to 70 people to enter the Font-de-Gaume cave that day and up to 25 people into Les Combarelles. They were only offering tours in French all day for both caves. However, because the first 9-10 people in line were English speakers, they ended up changing the first tour from French to English. For our French tour of Les Combarelles in the afternoon, there were only 5 people and the two French-speaking guests in the group agreed to allow the tour guide to do the tour in both French and English, which was nice of them and helpful for us. Font de Gaume has polychromatic cave paintings while Les Combarelles has etchings, so they are very different - both are worthwhile. Since we had several hours between the two tours, we visited Le village de la Madeleine, the remains of a troglodyte and medieval village to the north, which was also interesting and worthwhile.
4. Grotte de Rouffignac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 951 reviews
Reviewed By davide-a-g-i
We arrived there around 9.20 to find already a big queue. Could only get a place for 11:30, so I strongly recommend to get there early. That being said, the cave is gorgeous and I totally understand the way it is being protected by limiting the number of daily visitors, to avoid the fate of other famous caves like Lascaux. The train is a nice touch and the guide was clearly passionate about prehistoric art. Lovely place in a lovely region.
5. Gouffre de Padirac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,355 reviews
The Gouffre de Padirac, the most famous cave in Europe, is considered as one of the most interesting geological sites in France. After a vertiginous descent, by lift or stairs, of 103 metres, you embark on a boat trip along the subterranean river with spectacular views on the galleries. That's when you discover the "Grande Pendeloque" - a gigantic stalactite of 60 metres high - hanging by a string, it appears to admire itself in the "Lac de la Pluie". You then walk towards the "Lac des Gours" or the "Salle du Grand Dôme" with its 94 metres high vault.
Reviewed By davideY5952TC - Goolwa, Australia
The tour of the caves and underground river is a fascinating, educational, awe-inspiring and reasonably priced must-see in the Dordogne area of France
6. Grotte de Saint-Cezaire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
The St-Cézaire cave is situated only 15 mins from the town of Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. The guided-tour, with commentary in French and English, takes place 40m underground, on a 200m long cave section, which has been adapted for easy access for all the family. For all the persons who can't understand French and English, we have numerous written translations: Nederland, German,Danish, Norvegian, Suedish, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Russian, Cinese.With a constant temperature of 15°C, in both summer and winter, a pullover or jacket, and sensible footwear (boots or trainers) are recommanded.The breathtaking beauty and underground riches of the cave await you in every gallery. Majestic draperies, imposing stalactites, star-specked concretions, luminous "jellyfish" curtains and even a sound show featuring musical stalactites.There is also a large on-site free car park, a meditteranean plant discovery path, souvenir shop, picnic area and a 6 hectare wooded park.The restaurant is open for lunch, and specialises in provençal style family cuisine.
7. La Grotte des Demoiselles
8. Grotte de La Verna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
9. Grottes de Lacave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,063 reviews
10. Grottes de Bonifacio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,179 reviews
Reviewed By a1eksandar - Belgrade, Serbia
Gorgeous cliffs and equally amazing caves which can be found along the coastline make this part of Corsica trully gorgeous.
