The largest drapery in Europe sheltered in the Madeleine cave in Ardèche

In reality, these are two superimposed caves that we discover by going down 250 steps. C. C. – Midi Libre

We enter the cliff to descend 65 meters and discover magnificent concretions. C. C. – Midi Libre

Une architecture d’une finesse et d’une beauté… C. C. – Midi Libre

L’une des cinq cavités du secteur ouvertes au public. Grandiose. La grotte de la Madeleine a été découverte par un berger en 1889. Il cherchait une de ses chèvres qui s’y était réfugiée, apeurée par un orage.

Spectacular bowels of the Earth and its concretions, architecture that exceeds our understanding of the notion of time… millions of years. In the heart of the Ardèche gorges, the Madeleine cave is one of six caves developed and open to the public out of the 500 listed in the area. A route (accessible to most) of 250 steps actually allows you to discover two cavities, the Lescure cave connected by a passage opened by speleologists in 1950 to the Madeleine cavity, where a sound and light sequence offers a discovery in the details of this immense cavity. The Madeleine cave was discovered by a shepherd in 1889, he was looking for one of his goats that had taken refuge there, frightened by a storm.

Classic visit or original activities

At the foot of a cliff, about fifty meters above the Ardèche, the cave is home to the largest drapery in France (it measures seven meters high by four meters wide). “Knowing that it takes a hundred years to create the equivalent of a piece of sugar…", says the guide. Pure calcite concretions, of a pure and sparkling whiteness, incredible columns, stalactites and stalagmites just as grandiose, mark the route. The classic visit lasts an hour with a guide (several departures every hour). And also by reservation: more sporty activities (zip line, caving, wine-caving tour in undeveloped areas…) ; botanical trail, belvedere considered the most beautiful of the gorges. Calm and beauty await you.

Open until November 3, every day. In August, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. In September, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices for classic visits: 14 euros, 11 euros, 9.50 euros, free under 5 years old. Tel. 04 75 04 35 06.