The Saint Marcel d'Ardèche Cave

Along the sightseeing route of the Gorges of the Ardèche, 6 kilometres from Saint Martin d'Ardèche, the Saint Marcel d'Ardèche Cave invites you to explore an underground world.

Discovered by a hunter in 1836, this vast, 57-kilometre network of galleries presents you with an immense array of treasures, such as the concretions in magical shapes in the cave's giant chambers, the cathedrals and the cascade of rimstones (calcite pools) unique in Europe.

Let it all amaze you, to the fantastic rhythm of the sounds and lights.

Spelunking excursions are organised by “L'Escale en Ardèche” to let you explore the Saint Marcel d'Ardèche Cave just like a speleologist. The young and old alike can try the different trails – for age 7 and over.

The “Chemin de la Grosse Pierre” is a marked trail on which you can discover the flora and fauna of the Gorges of the Ardèche as well as a menhir and dolmen. A GPS can be rented to guide you along the trail.

Information to help you plan your visit:

• allow yourself an hour to visit the cave
• temperature in the cave: 14°C summer/winter
• tours in English, German, Dutch

In the area around the Cave of Saint Marcel d'Ardèche

Aiguèze: 5 km away – very pretty medieval village built up around a castle

Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux: 12 km away – House of the Truffle and the Tricastin

La Garde Adhémar: 13 km away – one of the most beautiful villages of France, in the Drôme

Suze la Rousse: 19 km away – château de Suze la Rousse – Wine University