The majestic Grotto and the modern Cité de la Préhistoire offer you the chance to dream, discover, learn, share and breathe. The Aven d’Orgnac is only a 10-minute drive from Mas de la Fontenette, our holiday rental with heated swimming pool on the edge of the Ardèche Gorges Nature Reserve
The aven
L’aven d’Orgnac is a magnificent natural cave classified as a “Grand Site de France”. The cave surprises with its gigantic volumes and the beauty of its underground landscapes. The finesse of the crystallisations and the richness of the concretions are intertwined. Take a one-hour underground tour down to a depth of 120 m. Gigantic chambers, glistening stalactites and stalagmites, incredibly fine draperies. At the end of the tour, the sound and light show sublimates the majesty of the site. You’ll feel a wave of emotion and unforgettable memories. An effortless lift ride back up
The City of Prehistory
Face-to-face with our ancestors, the Cité de la Préhistoire awakens the prehistoric man in all of us. Game tables, demonstrations (fire, flint and dagger shooting) and other stands offer a fresh look at the remains on display. They are the result of excavations in the Ardèche and the north of the Gard. It’s sure to change the way you think about prehistory!
Caving for adults
Lovers of vertical sensations won’t want to miss out on the vertigo of the underground world. An introduction to caving and a sumptuous underground via-cordata. A 3-hour sporting and vertical adventure through the ceilings of the Grotto. Suspended at a height of 40m, they move along the walls of the cave on a route designed not to alter the natural underground environment. The route ends on a high note with a 30m-high zip line!
Speleominot: for 7-12 year-olds
A safe course specially designed for 7-12 year-olds, supervised by a state-certified caving guide. Sparkling stalagmites and stalactites, boulders to climb, discovery of new hidden rooms, mini via-cordata… Explaining to children the issues involved in preserving the cave and dressing them up in the equipment of a real caver so they can feel like explorers/ That’s the Spéléominot experience at Aven d’Orgnac.
The dolmens of Orgnac
The commune of Orgnac l’Aven boasts a number of dolmens. In particular, you’ll find a group of 5 dolmens known as the Oeillantes dolmens. They are located near the road linking Orgnac to Barjac, a 5-minute drive from Aven d’Orgnac. There are no fewer than twenty dolmens in the area, some of them very well preserved. With over 900 identified dolmens, the Southern Ardèche is one of the richest dolmen areas in France.
Frequently asked questions about Aven d’Orgnac
An “aven” is a form of karstic relief characteristic of limestone regions. It is an underground cavity formed by the dissolution of limestone rock by water. It is generally associated with chemical erosion processes. Potholes often form in regions where limestone is abundant. Underground water flows through fractures and cracks in the rock.
In practical terms, a sinkhole is a vertical or inclined shaft that extends into the subsoil. They can vary in size, from a few metres to several dozen or even hundreds of metres deep. Some sinkholes are completely dry, while others may contain underground streams or lakes.
Potholes are of geological, hydrological and even archaeological importance. They are often explored by speleologists. They study underground networks, local geology and the cave-dwelling fauna and flora that thrive there
The Aven d’Orgnac is an impressive cave. Its dimensions are quite remarkable. It has a height under vault of almost 60 metres and a maximum width of around 40 metres. This imposing size makes it one of the most remarkable underground sites in France. It is around 120 metres deep.
The descent into the cave is a gentle, gradual descent. The ascent is by lift
Initiations to caving are organised at Aven d’Orgnac for both adults and children. See caving for adults and caving for toddlers
The“Grand Site de France” label is awarded in France to exceptional natural, cultural or heritage sites. Created in 2003, this label aims to promote and preserve areas that are remarkable in terms of their landscape, history, biodiversity or economic activities. The sites awarded the label are selected for their landscape quality, their ecological wealth, their heritage interest and their ability to welcome large numbers of visitors while preserving their environment.
The criteria for obtaining this label are rigorous. They include the implementation of sustainable management of the site, the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage, and the development of environmentally-friendly tourist activities. The Grand Sites de France are therefore leading tourist destinations. They offer visitors the chance to discover exceptional landscapes while contributing to their long-term preservation.
The 21 designated sites include Puy Mary, the Pont du Gard, the Cirque de Navacelles and many others.
The only site in the Ardèche to have been awarded the “Grand Site de France” label is Aven d’Orgnac