Visit the Chauvet Cave in Ardèche: tickets, prices, timetables

The Grotte Chauvet is one of the richest testimonies of parietal art in France. Find here all the information you need to know to know what to do at the Grotte Chauvet in Ardèche!

If the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is a paradise for caving enthusiasts, it is also a delight for history lovers. Since 2015, the Grotte Chauvet 2 Ardèche has made it possible to discover treasures buried for several tens of millennia. Exact replica of the real Chauvet Cave, it allows the public to approach these unique works, without risking them being damaged. An artistic and technological feat, which opens the door to an era as fascinating as it is little known. As you browse these walls with your eyes, you will see scenes from the daily life of our ancestors. Exciting, right?

So be sure to visit the Grotte Chauvet in Ardèche and go back in time to the Palaeolithic! Follow the leader…

Read also: 12 places to go caving in Ardèche

History of the Chauvet Cave in Ardèche

Photo credit : Wikipedia – Claude Valette

Initially called the Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, this exceptional place was brought to light on December 18, 1994 by three amateur speleologists. Thanks to Eliette Brunel, Christian Hillary And Jean Marie Chauvet, which gave its name to the cave, more than a thousand Palaeolithic paintings have been discovered. Many depict animals in hunting scenes: horses, lions, rhinos, etc. Handprints are also visible on the walls. An exceptional testimony left by our ancestors more than 36,000 years ago!

Such a heritage could not leave Unesco indifferent. Since June 2014, the organization has listed the Grotte Chauvet as a World Heritage Site as a major prehistoric site. This distinction recognizes the age, quality and richness of these ancient representations. It will also make it possible to implement a long-term conservation policy. The enhancement of the site includes both the cavity, but also all of its immediate environment and the hydrogeological basin that feeds it.

Very quickly, the Grotte Chauvet attracted specialists and academics. To preserve the representations from the risk of damage, the general public was not allowed to enter. Nevertheless, it was decided to build an exact replica, in order to make this discovery accessible to all. In 2012, the Regional Council of Rhône-Alpes and the General Council of Ardèche began to work on this reconstitution. It’s the architectural firm Fabre and Speller who designed the place, in line with its environment. The scenography was entrusted to the Parisian agency Scène, which took up the challenge of recreating an underground atmosphere, both humid and fresh. The Grotte Chauvet 2 Ardèche, or Cavern of the Pont d’Arc, opened its doors on April 25, 2015. Since then, it has become an essential site in the region and welcomed its millionth visitor in February 2017.

This tourist and cultural site represents a unique technological innovation. Indeed, it was necessary to recreate the original cave while respecting its initial dimensions and its geological particularities. It is currently the largest decorated cave replica in the world and allows you to discover the universe of Paleolithic men and women. Visiting the Grotte Chauvet in Ardèche is a unique experience!

What to see and do at the Grotte Chauvet?

Photo credit : Flickr – Maureen Barlin

Visiting the Grotte Chauvet in Ardèche is a complete adventure. In order to take full advantage of all the entertainment it offers, plan half a day.

When you arrive, you can start by discovering the Aurignacian Gallery. This interpretation center brings you all the elements known to date on the way of life of Paleolithic humans. Films, touch terminals: this is an excellent introduction, which will give you the keys to understanding and enjoying your visit to the Grotte Chauvet to the fullest. An hour is needed to go around.

You can then go on to visit inside the cave itself. During a guided tour of about an hour, you will learn more about these drawings left on the walls, as well as their meaning. The Chauvet Cave is one of the few places in the world devoted to parietal art and the pictorial techniques used by our ancestors. It must be said that the latter are particularly varied: blowing, engraving, digital drawing, stump… In addition to exploring all these techniques, you will discover the hidden meaning of these representations and what they teach us about these men and women. of yesteryear.

Are you wondering what to do at the Chauvet Cave in addition to the visits? In May and June, animation are set up during the weekends for children and adults. You will be able to initiate yourself to the techniques of parietal art, discover exhibitions, go back in time in the company of animators to imagine yourself in the time of caves… Other activities take place throughout the year: film screenings, storytelling walks, conferences, etc. Classical music concerts are even scheduled there! To discover the calendar of events in a more complete way, go to the official website of the Grotte Chauvet.

Would you like to visit the Chauvet Cave in Ardèche? It is located on the Razal plateau, in the town of Vallon Pont d’Arc. Please note: this is indeed the replica. The original Grotto is about fifteen minutes away. Several modes of transport are possible: car, train or plane.

By car

The Grotte Chauvet is about an hour and a half from Avignon and two and a half hours from Lyon or Marseille.

• From the north : take the A7 and the A49 (exit n°18, Montélimar sud)

• From the south : take the A7 or the A9 to exit 19.

• Then follow the direction of Bourg-Saint-Andeol then Vallon Pont d’Arc.

• Adult : 17,00 €

• Child (10 to 17 years old) : €8.50

• Free for children from 5 to 9 years old

• Group adults (from 18 years old) : €14.00 (2 guides and 1 free driver for 20 adults)

• Children’s group (from 4 to 17 years old) : 6.50 € (1 guide free for 10 children)

The price includes the complete visit of the site which includes the choice and according to availability:– Visit guided in 4 languages (French, English, German, Dutch)– Visit guided with audio guide available in 10 languages (French, English, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, German and Italian)

GOOD TO KNOW

– It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance by Internet ;– He is forbidden to take pictures inside the Chauvet Cave;– THE animals are prohibited on the site, apart from guide dogs;– The site is accessible to wheel chairsas well as to strollers.

Enjoy your walk in the Ardèche and don’t hesitate to discover the mysteries of the Grotte Chauvet!

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