Worth a Journey

Read by 254k monthly readers

The World’s 100 Best Show Caves

Grotte des Demoiselles

Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois, France

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST SHOW CAVES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 20 2026
Grotte des Demoiselles

Large limestone cave with vast chambers, draperies, stalactites and stalagmites, centred on the Cathedral chamber under artificial lighting. A funicular carries groups up into the mountain, then a French-language guided tour continues on foot over many stairs.

Highlights

  • Cathedral chamber
  • Funicular ride into the mountain
  • Giant draperies and columns

Good to know

  • Tour lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Around 13 to 15 degrees inside
  • Over 500 steps, some steep and slippery

Also in France

  1. Aven Armand N° 10 Aven Armand Hures-la-Parade Dripstone cave
  2. Grottes de Bétharram N° 15 Grottes de Bétharram Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre River cave
  3. Grotte de Choranche N° 18 Grotte de Choranche Choranche Dripstone cave
  4. Gouffre de Padirac N° 29 Gouffre de Padirac Padirac River cave
  5. Grotte de la Salamandre N° 37 Grotte de la Salamandre Méjannes-le-Clap Dripstone cave
  6. Grotte de Clamouse N° 48 Grotte de Clamouse Saint-Jean-de-Fos Dripstone cave