Grotte Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche

Classified as National Heritage for its geological and archaeological interest, the Grotte Saint-Marcel is – with its 64 km of networks – one of the largest cavities in France.
In 2025 it offers a new scenography for a more beautiful, more immersive and more poetic experience. Here the visitor is transported, like an explorer, into this authentic universe and discovers the beauty of this exceptional environment and all that it has to teach us about our History and our environment. The Saint-Marcel cave is also its unique cascade of gours in Europe, its immense galleries, its archaeological and multidisciplinary research programs, in a particularly preserved setting.

Tours offered:
Guided tour: The guide will reveal the geological, human and animal history of the cave, magnified by its new scenography, for an hour.

Guided family tour: the walk of the Fireflies by lantern light.
The cave is revealed to daring little explorers! In the dark, armed with your lantern and your courage, you will experience the sensations of the explorers and visitors of the cave nearly 200 years ago!
Epicurean Visit: Visit to the cave and tasting of wines and local products with a guide specialized in oenology (duration: 2 hours). In 2013, the Grotte Saint-Marcel created the “Cave Naturelle des Gorges de l'Ardèche ®” – a space dedicated to the aging of wines located 80 m underground – and became the first wine tourism center in a natural cavity. Tastings of AOC Côtes du Rhône / Côtes du Rhône Village wines and local products.

Caving: Caving, the Grotte Saint-Marcel differently!
In total immersion in the heart of the cave, a national natural heritage, discover caving. 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 courses (half-day or full day) combining history, sport and culture.
Family Adventure (from 5 years old), the Ark of Sensations or the Network Labyrinth 2 (from 10 years old) and Underground Exploration (from 12 years old).

SpeleoEnology®: When speleology meets oenology! A unique activity in France.
With a speleologist guide and a guide specialized in wine tasting, explore the galleries of the Grotte Saint-Marcel and take the time to taste in complete darkness, the most typical wines of Ardèche: Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages and Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Andéol.

The little extra: The big stone trail, a 2.8 km discovery trail following in the footsteps of the fauna, flora and human occupation of the Gorges de l'Ardèche. A treasure hunt is organized to discover this path while having fun!

family rate, student rate, PMR rate, and preferential rate depending on partnerships
For groups and schools, please contact us.