PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK "online tickets" for all our visits and TIME OF departure
or call us IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATIONS : +33(0)6.49.44.45.00
please choose "lombrives cave tour in english" to see availability
Please note: The Guided tour in the caves requires a reasonable degree of physical fitness. Uneven and slippery terrain can be encountered, so make sure you have suitable footwear. The temperature in the cave averages 10 C, so bring some warm clothes, even in the summer!
The cave is located 1h from Toulouse, 1km from Tarascon-sur-Ariège, close to Ax-les-Thermes, on the RN20 (road to Andorra).
In the heart of the largest cave in Europe ...
Lombrives is one of the most visited sites in Ariège. You have the choice to take the small train up the mountain or enjoy the views and walk the 1.4 km to the entrance of the cave. Once at the cave, your guide will begin the tour into "the lair of the giants".
​
The fascinating Grotte de Lombrives is a spectacular place of legends and history. Reaching back in time to protohistory, prehistoric Magdalenian people, sepulchre for Bronze Age man, a sacred place for the Cathar, refuge for the Protestants, visited by kings and most recently in the 19th C a hiding place for bandits... Grotte de Lombrives has always fascinated humankind, evidenced by thousands of signatures and enigmatic symbols on the cave walls.
​
On the tour you will cross the spectacular rock gallery the Carène. You will walk along a geological fault line into the Passage of Crime and onwards into the spectacular grandiose natural Amphitheatre, a cathedral-like space, sacred for some people, meditative for others.
After a long flight of stairs, the upper level opens into the Gallery of the Great Cemetery. Then, you will walk through galleries adorned with striking geological concretions and find yourself in front of the Tomb of princess Pyrene, which according to Greek mythology is the origin of the Pyrenees. Lastly you reach Akka Lake, with its mysterious undulations.
« When you enter LOMBRIVES, an ancient, surprising and powerful world opens up to you.
A break from the real world, a unique, moving, introspective experience...
Beyond what you can imagine. »
Catherine Blasco, in charge of Lombrives.
Guided hike 2h
open all year
​
Departures are from the ticket office of Lombrives, on the RN20 roadside (09400 USSAT-LES-BAINS).
The time chosen for the guided tour corresponds to the time at which you must present yourself at the ticket office. The visit to the cave will begin 20 minutes later at the cave entrance, after the ascent on foot or by small train. Your guide awaits you for a cultural, historical, contemplative and... a somewhat sporty tour!
.
Tickets for the little train can be bought on site (2€/pers) (the train takes you up, the descent is done on foot). The hike lasts 2 hours (it can be shortened to 1 hour for those who wish). In total, count 2.30 hours on site at least. For example, for a visit at 10:30 a.m, you will be back at the ticket office at 1 p.m.
Lombrives is much more than a cave of grandiose dimensions!
Most tours are in French, but some are in English. Please note that most of our guides speak English and will be able to make some translations or answer your questions. Do not forget to ask for a booklet in your language.
See the "Online tickets" link for all our departure times.
Conditions of access:
A protected site.
Going up and down a large staircase with a bird's eye view of the Cathedral doesn't scare you?
Can you walk 2 km in the cool for two hours, on slightly steep natural ground?
Take a fairly steep hiking trail for 200 meters is within your reach?
So whatever your age, wear your walking shoes and put on warm clothes, because LOMBRIVES is made for you!
Babies carried in a ventral carrier only. Rent a babies carried: http://www.kidntrip.com/?partner=
Nice and clean dog kept on a tight leash accepted.
You can take picture in the cave
Prices:
Adult: 12€
Young 12-18 years old: €10
Child 6-12 years old: €8
under 6 years old: free
​
Access to the cave: 1.4 km on foot (free) or with the little train (€2, only for the way up)
We accept EUROS, PYRÈNES (local currency), VISA,
new: 1/2 DAY guided tour!
Did you follow Christian Clot's Deep Time scientific expedition with the 14 teammates confined in the cave? Equipped with a helmet and a headlamp, come and discover the places where they lived for 40 days and walk in the footsteps of other explorers of the last centuries. Intimate visit. This is an intimate tour, with limited places available, giving access to protected galleries which are rarely open to the public.
The tour is in French. More info at +33(0)6.49.44.45.00 or contact@grottedelombrives.com
EXPLORATION, CONTEMPLATION, GEOLOGY, HISTORY AND... conviviality
(copious Tasting of local products in the cave!!!)
Count on 1/2 day of activity
Single price: €38 / person
​
The price includes:
- Rental of equipment (helmet and headlamp)
- The 1/2 day guided exploration
- The copious tasting
- And... some surprises...
Little explorer hike, "in the footsteps..."
During WINTER SPRING AND summer holidays of 2022-2023 !!!
After having climed to the entrance of the cave, on foot or with our little train, a guide awaits you for a hike "in the footsteps of..."
Your children are equipped with a helmet and a headlamp. Come and visit a part of the cave rarely open to the public. Discover the various traces of occupation of men from the Neolithic period, 14 000 years old animals bones and many more surprises.
Your children will become an explorer in a natural listed site for an afternoon ! Thank you for accompanying your children.
This tour is particularly appropriate for children between 4 and 8 years old, but very interesting for adults too!
Departure from the ticket office of Lombrives, on the RN20 roadside (09400 USSAT-LES-BAINS).
The tour is in French. More info at +33(0)6.49.44.45.00
​
See the "Online tickets" link for all our departure times
.jpg)
%20RETOUCHEE.jpg)
Count on 2-3 hours of activity
Single price €12 (adult or child)
​
The price includes:
- Ascension and descent by little train
- Guided hike
- Rental of equipment (helmet and headlamp)
​
Thank you for accompanying your children.
Wear your warm backpacker outfit (10° in the cave)
and your sports shoes!
To rent a banby carried ( for your safety, ventral baby carrier only allowed)
http://www.kidntrip.com/?partner=
We accept EUROS, PYRÈNES (local currency), VISA
NIGHT HIKING (2-hour tour in the cave)
CONTEMPLATIVE and introspective... REJUVENATE YOURSELF IN THE HEART OF THE EARTH
During the holidays of All Saints, Christmas, winter, spring and summer!
​
After climbing out of the valley to the entrance of the Grotte de Lombrives on foot, a guide awaits you for a night hike.
​
This is an intimate visit to the cave, in privileged conditions:
In the evening, when our day visitors have left the area.
You will be In the cave in a small group.
​
An unusual, relaxing, meditative, introspective or
contemplative... There's something for everyone!
Booking only : Book your tickets on "Online tickets"/more Info: +33(0)6.49.44.45.00​
During the Christmas, winter and Easter holidays :
TICKET OFFICE DEPARTURE 5:30 PM
Every Wednesday and Thursday
​
SINGLE PRICE: €14 / person
DES CONCERTS ET DES SPECTACLES TOUTE L’ANNÉE
​
CONTEMPLATIVE et introspective... SE RESSOURCER AU CŒUR DE LA TERRE
​Une marche d'approche à travers la montagne, (ou à l'aide de notre petit train touristique). Un dédale à la lueur des bougies de plus de 400 mètres sous terre. Une "trouée" dans la roche plus vaste que Notre Dame de Paris. Des "fauteuils naturels" dans les goures de la grotte. Une acoustique exceptionnelle. Des tarifs tout minus permettant l’accès à la culture au plus grand nombre. Une programmation qui émerveillent les grands et les petits. Des artistes exceptionnels! Toute notre programmation ici :
​
​
TARIF UNIQUE : 5 € / personne + participation consciente et obligatoire pour les artistes :)
SUR RÉSERVATION / Info : 06.49.44.45.00​
(Recommandation importante: vêtements très chauds, bonnes chaussures, un petit plaid pour vous emmitoufler, un carré de chaise ou un petit coussin pour une assise plus confortable, une condition physique permettant de marcher 1.5 km sur un sol naturel)
Guilded hike 1/2 Day
