The Grotte de la Salamandre: The Kingdom of the Crystal Giants
Discover the Grotte de la Salamandre, an immense cave adorned with splendid concretions!
Located on the border between the Gard and Ardèche departments, just a stone’s throw from the Gorges de la Cèze, the Grotte de la Salamandre is nestled in the heart of nature.
Nicknamed “The Kingdom of the Crystal Giants”, the cave opened its doors to the public for the first time in 2013. It offers visitors a unique experience.
Several ways to visit the Grotte de la Salamandre
There are in fact five ways to visit the cave:
- From the Belvedere, with an impressive panoramic view of the entire cave. The belvedere is wheelchair accessible (unique in Europe).
- Guided tour: Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour lasting around an hour through the heart of an enormous space adorned with titanic concretions set off by light and sound.
- The Grand Rappel, an activity reserved for adrenalin-seekers who won’t mind descending 50 metres from the ceiling of the cave, suspended in the void. This activity can be enjoyed with family or friends: excitement guaranteed!
- Les Coulisses de la Salamandre: 2h30 of caving in the cave’s hidden chambers, a captivating journey that’s fun, aesthetic and a bit sporty all the same.
- The extraordinary flight in an Aéroplume©, a unique experience in the world allowing you to discover the Grotto from the air. After slipping into a cocoon attached to the underside of the balloon, you (the pilot) move gently through the cave using two large ‘fins’.
La Grotte de la Salamandre: an eco-responsible site suitable for all the family
The Grotte de la Salamandre is located in a sensitive natural area and a Natura 2000 zone.
The site, perfectly integrated into the landscape with its wooden frame, has eco-responsible buildings powered by solar panels. They produce most of the energy used to light the Grotto.
On site, you’ll find a shop selling original items and a refreshment bar on the large terrace overlooking the wild, unspoilt garrigue. It’s the ideal place to quench your thirst, enjoy an ice cream or a slate of meals based mainly on local produce.
The little ones can enjoy their own adventure on the accro-bambino, a beautiful suspended course surrounded by safety nets.
Finally, on the picnic area, children can also play gold digger in the nugget river and sift through the sand to discover minerals. The lucky ones might even find a (small) gold nugget!
Last but not least, the Grotte de la Salamandre is one of the few caves to be accessible to people with motor disabilities or walking difficulties! The belvedere in the cave offers a superb view and means you can appreciate the 1 hectare cave from your wheelchair.
