Saint-Marcel-d’Ardèche cave

Listed as a National Heritage Site for its geological and archaeological interest, Grotte Saint-Marcel - with its 64 km of networks - is one of the largest caves in France.
Follow the trail of the fossil river through 400 m of immense chambers and galleries, finely sculpted by water. Magnified by a sound and light show, the sublime Gours waterfall unveils its string of over one hundred calcite pools, the only one of its kind in Europe!

Tours on offer:
Guided tour: The guide will tell you all you need to know about the cave and the fossil river. You'll also be treated to 2 sound and light shows (duration: 1 hour).

Family guided tour: the Fireflies walk by lantern light.
The cave reveals itself to daring little explorers! In the dark, armed with your lantern and your courage, you'll experience new sensations in the converted galleries. It's a chance to slip into the shoes of the explorers who explored the cave nearly 200 years ago!
A sound and light show will punctuate your journey, highlighting the wonders of the cave. Join the gang of explorers for a unique adventure!

Self-guided tour: This service allows visitors to explore the site independently, in small groups, at their own pace. Explanatory panels (French/English) are provided along the way. For children, there's also "Le voyage extraordinaire d'une goutte d'eau" (The extraordinary journey of a drop of water), which explains the cave's formation process. For more information, guides are on hand in the cave (duration: 1h), and you can enjoy 2 sound & light shows.

Epicurean tour: Visit the cave and taste local wines and products with a guide specialized in oenology (duration: 2h). In 2013, Grotte Saint-Marcel created the "Cave Naturelle des Gorges de l'Ardèche ®" - a space dedicated to aging wines located 80 m underground - and became the first wine tourism center in a natural cave. Tastings of AOC Côtes du Rhône / Côtes du Rhône Village wines and local produce.

Caving: Grotte Saint-Marcel in a different way!
Discover caving in the heart of the cave, a national natural heritage site. With family or friends, set off on an adventure in the footsteps of Robert DE JOLY (French speleologist) and Édouard-Alfred MARTEL (founder of modern speleology). We offer several half-day and full-day tours combining history, sport and culture.
L'Aventure en Famille (from 5 years), l'Arche des Sensations (from 8 years), le Labyrinthe du Réseau 2 (from 10 years) and l'Exploration Souterraine (from 12 years).

SpéléŒnologie®: When caving meets oenology, you'll discover the terroir in all its facets...thanks to SpéléŒnologie®! A unique activity in France.
With a speleologist guide and a guide specialized in wine tasting, explore the corridors of the Grotte Saint-Marcel, then take the time to disconnect by tasting, in complete darkness, the most typical wines of the Ardèche: Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages and Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Andéol. You'll realize that the wine you taste in the cave is even better than elsewhere!

A little extra: Le sentier de la grosse pierre, a 2.8 km discovery trail that traces the fauna, flora and human occupation of the Gorges de l'Ardèche. A treasure hunt is organized to discover this trail in a fun way!

Spoken languages

• German
• English
• French

Labels and ranking

• Michelin guide
• On-line reservation
• Famille Plus
• Vineyards and Discovery Accreditation
• Séquence Nature Rhône-Alpes
• Indoor
• Bad weather alternative
• Recommended by high heat
• Vallée de la Gastronomie