Grotte Saint-Marcel

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.
A new scenography offers you a more beautiful, immersive, and poetic experience. Here, visitors are transported, like explorers, into this authentic world and discover the beauty of this exceptional environment and all it has to teach us about our history and our surroundings. The Saint-Marcel cave also boasts a unique waterfall of rimstone pools, its immense galleries, and its archaeological and multidisciplinary research programs, all within a remarkably well-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.

Epicurean Tour: Visit the cave and enjoy a tasting of wines and local products with a wine expert (duration: 2 hours 15 minutes). In 2013, the Saint-Marcel Cave created the "Cave Naturelle des Gorges de l'Ardèche®" – a space dedicated to aging wines located 80 meters underground – and became the first wine tourism center in a natural cave. Tastings of Côtes du Rhône / Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC 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 age 5), the "Little Odyssey" (from age 8), the Ark of Sensations (from age 10) and Underground Exploration (from age 12).

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!

With the new scenography, access is limited to 35 people per visit, but the cave can accommodate larger groups. Several tours will be organized, departing every 15 or 30 minutes.