The Best Show Caves in France

Avens and gouffres

In the south of France an aven is a natural vertical shaft in limestone, and a gouffre is a chasm. Three caves here are entered from above in this way. At Aven Armand a funicular takes groups down to a single chamber 100 metres underground with around 400 stalagmites. At Aven d’Orgnac groups walk down about 700 steps through three chambers and ride an elevator back. At Gouffre de Padirac stairs or lifts go down a chasm more than 100 metres deep to an underground river, which visitors cross by boat with a boatman.

Rides

Several French caves include a ride. Grotte des Demoiselles has a funicular up into the mountain. At Grottes de Bétharram groups arrive by bus, walk down hundreds of steps, cross a short stretch by boat and leave by miniature train. Grotte de la Cocalière at Courry brings visitors back by little train, and Grotte de la Salamandre offers flights inside its chamber under an Aeroplume balloon.

Sound and light

A sound and light show is close to standard in France, often at the end of the tour. Aven Armand, Grotte de Choranche, Grotte de la Salamandre, Grotte de Clamouse and Aven d’Orgnac all have one. At Choranche it plays in the Cathedral chamber, after a walk past thousands of soda straw stalactites and a turquoise river.

Language

Guiding is mostly in French. Grotte de Choranche gives out individual headsets and Grotte de Clamouse at Saint-Jean-de-Fos uses a smartphone audio guide. Grotte de la Salamandre guides in French and English, and Aven d’Orgnac runs some tours in English, which shows when booking. Grotte de Dargilan at Meyrueis also offers a three-hour tour and one for children.