Grotte Forestière. "Visitez Autrement Sans Guide et Sans Réservation"
We have decided to thumb our noses at society and its galloping inflation by adding just one euro more to the entrance fee since 2020 (12 euros from 15 years old and 8 euros from 6 to 14 years old, free for under 6s) despite the many activities offered. The Forest Cave therefore remains the least expensive of all.
Imagine having the chance to discover a cave just between you, without a guide and without a reservation. Equipped with powerful professional headlamps (provided from 3 years old) the roots of century-old trees unique in Europe and the floors covered with fine crystallizations that are similar to coral beds, fascinate by their originality.
No time limit, the visit follows a simple and secure path, protected by barriers. On the other hand, like all the caves in the region, if the visitor only walks without stopping, in 20 minutes he can finish the route and miss the experience.
From babies to parents, grandparents and pets, the route is made easier by its horizontality and the small number of steps (sixty there and back).
Benches and armchairs are placed here and there for meditating and contemplating, in still image, the crystalline and plant beauties.
Explanations and teachings about the underground world are given in the form of explanatory panels, with content up to date with the latest discoveries, which frees us from hurried guides and approximate and repetitive speeches.
The proximity to the crystals is incredible, but it requires absolute respect for the extremely fragile natural environment.
Since photography is allowed, the site allows you to take magnificent images and videos and the lamps respect the colors in order to fully succeed in the shots. (the legend of the flash which damages the crystallizations is buried with the guides!).
A free green car park drops you off at the very heart of the site. (No approach walk)
On the surface, La Forestière offers to keep the children (and parents) fully occupied, to free up time to play or rest (hammocks and sofas in the shade). Allow time for the children to accept the idea of leaving, to avoid desperate cries.
Freebies offered with a visit to the cave: Mini-Golf, pedal karting circuit (children's and adult models), quirky huts, sandbox games (mechanical diggers), balance bikes, scooters, children's bikes, wooden games of skill for all ages and many other things. Simple games like they used to play in the past. The site offers a space of plenitude and many people stay there all day.
Additional activities at low prices: the crystal hunters' river (an exciting new way to discover crystals using a gold prospector's pan and a small artificial stream) but also workshops such as fossil, mineral, geode and bracelet hunters which are available all day long without reservation.
For those hungry stomachs, we have created a delicious vegetarian snack that offers mostly fresh and local products.
For collectors, a mineral and fossil shop that appeals for the quality of its products and its ethics (the minerals come from regulated quarries), with prices often much lower than online sales sites.
Sumithra carefully manufactures lithotherapy pearl bracelets with various positive virtues. It is also possible to create your own bracelet by choosing the pearls from a wide selection offered.
Finally, experienced or Sunday walkers can set off to discover magnificent places by hiking from the site. Dolmens, cave entrances or sinkholes, but above all, the spectacular Ronze cave, a partially collapsed cave (free) in the open air, easily accessible thanks to Google map (40 mins round trip).
Each year we invest in new activities so we invite you to come and visit our website to learn about the new products for 2025: www.grotteardeche.com
Snacks and snacks every day with local products, local beer bar. Pedal karting circuit, balance bikes and scooters.
The concept of slow visitation changes our way of thinking and doing. This is how it becomes simple and obvious to act ecologically, because it is clear that our society is going astray by wanting to go ever faster. The inconvenience comes from the feeling of emptiness that this causes in each of us and it is this very thing that pushes the need to frantically consume all sorts of things that are often useless and destructive to the environment.
We offer simple activities and the visit to the cave without time limit teaches us to savor the present moment. The fact of no longer using fixed and permanent lighting (which creates photosynthesis), has made it possible to stop the degradation of fauna, flora and crystallizations by the use of chlorine.
It is a real joy for us and the visitors to see since 2017 the return of bats, but also of various other cave dwellers who are no longer bothered by chemicals and spotlights left on for a long time.
Following a municipal decision in Orgnac l'Aven, the management of personal waste is everyone's responsibility. Recycling bins are placed at the entrance to towns and villages; in this way we become aware of what we throw away because when we know that a lot of waste ends up buried in the Ardèche soil, it hurts the heart.
New quirky cabins, sandbox games and other surprises…
Many free games (mini golf, karting, sandbox, cabins, etc.) Mineral and fossil hunting workshops and bracelet creation at low prices. Nap and meditation area. A visit also suitable for children (no guide, no reservation, little walking, etc.). Baby carrier loan.
2025-04-12
2025-11-02
A pelvic case is offered from 12 euros of purchase.
Possibility to provide a bucket, water and a shade tree for tethering.
Location details
- In the countryside
- In forest
- Isolated
- River at -5 km
- Village at -2 km
- GR route within 1 km
Opening
Exceptional Closure(s)
- 01/09/2024
- 02/09/2024
Pricing
| Pricing | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 12 € | Not disclosed |
| Kids | 8 € | Not disclosed |
| Student fee | 11 € | Not disclosed |
Payment methods
Services
Equipment
Services
Activities on site
- Animation
- Recreational leisure
- Tourist cave / Other developed natural sites
Home animals
