Aven d’Orgnac – Grand Site de France – The City of Prehistory

Tourist attractions

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On the Grand Site de l'Aven d'Orgnac, the Cité de la Préhistoire - a modern, playful museographic space with the Musée de France label - evokes 350,000 years of human adventures through authentic collections of local remains of human occupation.

Understanding the age-old history of the earth and its inhabitants Situated just a stone's throw from the Gorges de l'Ardèche, Aven d'Orgnac is a unique site in several respects: classified for its scientific value, it has been awarded the "Grand site de France" label for its sustainable management of an exceptional natural site. It offers a wide range of activities in the same area, enabling visitors to understand both the geological evolution of the area and its occupation by man over the course of time, notably at the Cité de la Préhistoire. To visit the Cité de la Préhistoire is to experience a moving face-to-face encounter with our ancestors, and to better understand who these not-so-distant men and women were! In this museographic space, spanning 350,000 years of human adventures - from the Middle Paleolithic to the First Iron Age - authentic objects from excavations in the Ardèche and northern Gard regions are presented in a redesigned museography, featuring multi-player touch tables, engaging soundscapes, explanatory videos, life-size illustrations and more. A modern, emotionally-charged visit that offers a fresh look at the remains on display, and depending on the season, the chance to try out prehistoric activities such as fire, flint and darts! >>>> Discover the Grand Site de France Continue your visit to the Grand Site de France with the Grotte d'Orgnac, which adjoins the Cité de la Préhistoire. Its gigantic volumes and the beauty of its subterranean landscapes are astonishing. Giant palms, translucent fistulas, eccentrics, candlesticks, organ cases, columns, ochre-coloured draperies, clay fir trees... coiled in balance beneath ceilings up to 55 metres high. The Grotto and the Cité de Préhistoire: two reasons to marvel at the past!
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Home supplement

Active tours and workshops available for school children and students. By appointment only - at least 2 weeks notice required. Please contact Philippe Barth: Tel (+33) 475 386 806.

Spoken languages

  • Dutch
  • German
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French

Labels and rankings

  • Museum of France

Sort

  • Museum

Themes

  • History
  • Sciences and technology
  • Arts and culture
  • Prehistoric
  • Archeological
  • Anthropology
  • Natural sciences
  • Ethnology
  • Natural history
  • Local history
  • Geology

Opening

From 21/12/2024 to 05/01/2025, daily.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st and December 25th.

From 01/02 to 15/11/2025, daily.

Benefits

Services provided

  • Educational visits
  • Coach access
  • Motorhomes allowed
  • Themed tour
  • Shop
  • Set down on-site for groups
  • Wi-fi
  • Tourist brochures
  • Tourist information
  • Booking of general amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Guided tours

Equipment

  • Film room
  • Coach parking
  • Parking nearby
  • Car park
  • Public WC
  • Auditorium
  • Bar
  • Defibrillator
  • Sustainable development
  • Waste management
  • Photovoltaic panel
  • Play area
  • Picnic area
  • Exhibition space
  • Lift
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilets

Booking

Prices

Full price: 16 € Reduced price: 13 € Child: 11 € Audioguide: 2 €. Free entry for children < 6 years. Group rate available for > 20 people.

Means of payment

  • Check
  • Bank/credit card
  • Cash
  • Pass’Région
  • Culture Pass
  • Travellers Cheque
  • Credit transfer

Capacity

  • Maximum group size: 150
  • Minimum group size : 20

Activities

  • Temporary exhibition
  • Theatre
  • Activity
  • Children's entertainment
  • Product tasting

Access

Environment

  • Close to GR footpath
  • In the country
  • Village 2 km away