Aven d’Orgnac – Grand Site de France – La Cité de la Préhistoire

Tourist attractions

20163948-diaporama
20075913-diaporama
12717357-diaporama
20075927-diaporama
20163907-diaporama
20163876-diaporama
12717248-diaporama
20163916-diaporama
8

Aven d'Orgnac is a French "Grand Site" whose natural wonder is breath-taking! Join us for the Prehistory City, and the gigantic cave itself. Lots of different events are offered, an international exhibition!

Visit the Cité de la Préhistoire with audio-guides in 5 languages: French, English, Dutch, German and Italian. Fun, modern museum space. Did you know? Pre-Neanderthal peoples lived 350,000 years ago in the woods around Aven d'Orgnac. When you visit the Cité de la Préhistoire, you come face-to-face in an emotional encounter with our ancestors. You can better understand who were these men, women and children that are not all that far from who we are today. The modern and fun museum space takes you through 350,000 years of human evolution and displays authentic finds in the display cases. Entirely renovated in 2014. The musem space explains prehistory in Western Europe. Tables with games, demonstrations of fire, flint and arrows, and other animated prehistoric displays, for an entirely new look at the vestiges from the excavations Ardèche and in the north part of County Gard. The experience goes from immense to infinitely tiny: the Cave, just next to the Cité de la Préhistoire, has gigantic volumes and gorgeous underground landscapes. Amazing shapes of stalagtites and stalagmites form giant palm trees, translucent fistules, candles, organ pipes, columns and ochre-coloured draperies, thse and many more natural creations under the cave ceilings which reach heights of 55 meters. Overwhelming! For nature-lovers and sports-lovers, the Grand Site de l’Aven d’Orgnac proposes a wide range of caving-related activities! Book ahead for spelunking outings: "le Vertige souterrain", a unique experience that takes you along the ceilings of the Aven d’Orgnac cave. Descents, rappelling, through the natural entrance to the cave. Also, the Combiné where you do both. For the bold and those who like a challenge! Mor information on the web site www.orgnac.com. Near the Grand Site, there are great opportunities for walks, for exploring local heritage and discovering varied fauna and flora. Follow the Circuit de Maubois, and go to the site Baume-de-Ronze to visit and discover on your own. There are also guided hikes, organised accompanied by a guide from the Cité de la Préhistoire. Playing area, picnic tables, cafeteria, gift shop, regional products. All in all a great day out for the entire family at the Aven d’Orgnac cave.
See more

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 26/12/2023 to 07/01/2024, daily.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st.

From 01/02 to 15/11/2024, 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

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

Booking

Prices

From 26/12/2023 to 07/01/2024 Reduced price: 11.90 € Adult: 14.90 € Child: 9.90 € Audioguide: 2 €. From 01/02 to 15/11/2024 Reduced price: 13 € Adult: 16 € 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

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