Grotte des Demoiselles: from the funicular to the cathedral hall, a magical visit in the heart of the Hérault region

La lumière naturelle guide les visiteurs vers l’aven, l’entrée des pionniers. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

The legendary fairy cave located in Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois takes visitors on a journey through time and underground in the heart of the Hérault valley.

During the summer period, many people rush to discover the Grotte des Demoiselles, which legend has it is home to fairies. But beyond the simple tourist outing, the visit is really worth the detour. Young and old alike will find something to interest them and the stages are all magical.

1. The funicular

An impressive tunnel to access the cave. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

First step of the visit, to be able to enter the cave, you strangely have to climb. And to do this, take a funicular. It is the oldest ever built in Europe. Built in 1929 by Paul de Grully, it transports visitors for a 54-metre climb in a tunnel dug and created to make the cave nestled in the hollow of the cliff accessible to the public.

This topographic diagram helps you understand why you go up to visit the underground cave. Grotte des Demoiselles

The tunnel is 160 meters long and during the journey the adjoining walls bear witness to the construction with traces of the placement of sticks of dynamite among other things.

Halfway through, the life-size reproduction of the cave bear sits enthroned in a cavity.

2. The Bear Room

The Bear Room. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

After a few meters, the visitor enters what is called the Bear Room. It was at this location that the extremely well-preserved bones of a cave bear were discovered. The animal, a female, must have lived there at the time. The skeleton was handed over to the University of Sciences of Montpellier where it could be studied.

This is where the bear skeleton was discovered. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

In this cavity, we can see an impressive quantity of stalactites and stalagmites forming monoliths (after joining together). One of which is nearly 11 meters high. Knowing that the formation which is made thanks to water drops can only rise 3 cm maximum in 100 years. Other concretions, notably an imposing drapery called the royal mantle, are also to be admired.

3. The sinkhole with the natural entrance

The sinkhole, the natural entrance to the cave. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

We then come out into a room that is in fact the natural entrance. It is through this hole, this sinkhole, located at the top of the cliff that the pioneers entered to access the cave.

The huge hole through which the pioneers passed. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

The access has been fenced since the entrance to the cave is now from below.

The access was fenced. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

4. The dining room

During the first expedition in 1780, the members of the team stopped in this cavity after about five hours of progress. Blocked there, the time to dig to access the next cavity, it is easy to imagine that they ate there. Hence its name of dining room.

5. The cathedral room

This is the highlight of the visit: the majestic hall of the cathedral, located 70 meters underground, measures 120 meters long by 48 meters wide and no less than 50 meters high. Dimensions close to those of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a comparison that allows us to measure the scale of this underground room.

A dizzying passage leading to the cathedral's great hall. Midi Libre – GIACOMO ITALIANO

It is accessed by a dizzying staircase – another access is possible for people prone to vertigo.

A profusion of concretions as far as the eye can see. Midi Libre – Giacomo Italiano

A multitude of concretions of different shapes and colors adorn the place. In the center, one of the giant stalagmites looks like a statue of the Virgin and Child.

Opening times, prices, access, visits… the cave in practice

The site is open 7 days a week. “We are still dependent on the weather, even inside.” Opening times vary depending on the day, but several tours are offered throughout the day.

In the cave, the temperature is constant all year round: it is 15°C.

The Grotte des Demoiselles is located on Route de la Grotte, RD 108E8 in Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois. Tel. 04 67 73 70 02. Reservations are possible via the website.

Prices: 15 euros for adults and 13 euros reduced for a guided tour lasting approximately 1 hour 30 minutes with the funicular. Private or group tours are possible. Concerts are sometimes organized within the cave.

New features until August 30, by reservation only:

The Underground Vertige with an exploration of the cave using a lantern, then a visit to the Aven de l'Eure with an abseil. Price: 58 euros for a duration of 4 hours. Accessible from the age of 8. Departure before 9am

The Pendulum Jump with a lantern exploration of the cave and a jump into the void in the Cathedral room. Price: 65 euros for the pendulum, 30 euros for accompanying persons for a duration of 3 hours. Accessible from the age of 5. Home around 5:40 p.m.

The visit ends in the music room where you can observe translucent concretions. During this timeless journey of over an hour, the visitor will have climbed some 550 steps, but all without noticing it…

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