Lombrives Pyrenees
History, Myths & Legends.
Enigmatic. Fascinating. It is recognized as the LARGEST CAVE IN EUROPE .
The original point of the creation of the Pyrenees according to Greek myths. Shelter, burial place for prehistoric man, sacred Cathar land, refuge, hiding place, mystical place for kings…
Humans have ventured into Lombrives since the dawn of time and have left us thousands of traces, signatures and symbols, some of which remain unexplained…
Today, Lombrives is one of the most emblematic sites in Ariège. It continues to write its history: it is the scene of unprecedented scientific experiments on human adaptation and the preparation of future space missions.
At the initiative of the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and the Human Adaptation Institute, it hosted, among other things, the DEEP TIME expedition in 2021 and 2025, a pioneering expedition in extraordinary scientific experiments. You've probably heard of it: 15 people/40 days underground, outside of time and without any contact with the outside world.
"At the Heart of the Earth: A fascinating, timeless immersion from the origin of the Pyrenees to futuristic scientific experiments."
YOUR EXPERIENCE :
LOMBRIVES OFFERS YOU ALL YEAR ROUND
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Guided 2-hour hikes with commentary by your guide (French, English, or German depending on the chosen time slot ): a cultural, historical, contemplative, and... slightly sporty experience. Suitable for ages 3-99 in good physical condition. Very young children can use their parent's front carrier (no backpacks for safety reasons).
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Little Explorers Hikes "In the Footsteps of..." (🇫🇷) RESERVATION REQUIRED: Your children will be equipped with a headlamp and helmet . Come visit a part of the cave system rarely open to the public, discover various traces of human occupation from the Neolithic period, animal bones over 14,000 years old, and many more surprises. Become an explorer in a protected site for an afternoon! Please accompany your children. This tour is particularly suitable for children between 4 and 8 years old, but very interesting for toddlers and adults too!
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Full- Day Guided Hikes (🇫🇷) Departure 10:00 AM, return around 3:30 PM. Reservations required: Includes a gourmet tasting in the cave. An intimate visit . Only a select few will be able to explore these protected galleries, rarely open to the public. Did you follow Christian Clot's Deep Time scientific expedition and his 14 crew members " confined" in the cave for 40 days? With the help of your portable light, come discover their living space and walk in the footsteps of the many other explorers of past centuries. In addition, enjoy a moment of timeless relaxation in total darkness on the sands of the Marble Gallery, 4 km underground.
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Contemplative and Introspective Night Hikes (2 hours): An intimate visit to the cave, in privileged conditions: In the evening, after our daytime hikers have left. In the cave, only our small group. An unusual, relaxing, meditative, introspective, or contemplative experience ... There's something for everyone!
Exploring this wondrous natural world begins with a hike up a trail to the cave entrance (1.4 km on a hiking path, about a 20-minute walk, or, if you prefer, by our little train). Under the cave's archway, your guide will lead you into its vastness. Galleries of exceptional diversity, of incomparable historical and geological significance:
You cross the Carina, walk along the fault line, and take the Passage of Crime. There you are, in the magnificent Amphitheater: a sacred cathedral, conducive to contemplation but also to cultural events. After the grand staircase, the upper level opens onto the Gallery of the Great Cemetery. You then pass through galleries adorned with curious concretions. Here you are before the Tomb of Pyrenees, the ancestor of the Pyrenean people, according to ancient Greek myth. Further on, the Lake with its mysterious undulations...
"When you enter LOMBRIVES, an ancient, surprising and powerful world is revealed to you.
A timeless interlude, a unique, moving, introspective experience.
beyond what we can imagine.
Catherine Blasco, site manager.
Departures are from the Lombrives ticket office at the time indicated on your booking , located on the side of the RN20 (09400 USSAT-LES-BAINS). Whether you go up on foot or by miniature train, the tour starts 20 minutes later at the entrance to the cave .
Please arrive at reception 15 minutes before departure time.
For example: guided hike at 2:30 pm. Meet at our ticket office around 2:15 pm. Departure from the ticket office at 2:30 pm on foot or by miniature train (+€2.50). Start of the hike in the cave at 2:50 pm.
Check departure dates and times on "Online Tickets".
We are available to answer any questions at 06.49.44.45.00
Access conditions :
Classified natural site, undeveloped.
Are you not afraid of going up and down a grand staircase with a breathtaking view of the Cathedral?
Can you walk 2 km in the cool of the evening for two hours, on slightly steep natural terrain?
Is taking a fairly steep hiking trail for 200 meters within your capabilities?
So whatever your age , wear your walking shoes and put on VERY warm clothes (only 10 degrees in the cave!), because LOMBRIVES is made for you!
Baby carriers are only permitted in front-facing backpack carriers. (Baby carrier rental: http://www.kidntrip.com/?partner= )
Gentle, clean dog on a tight leash accepted on 2-hour guided hikes
Cameras allowed
HALLOWEEN INTO THE CAVE
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
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Consultez nos jours d'ouverture et horaires de départ,
sur réservation ONGLET "Horaires et billets en ligne".
(nous sommes également à votre écoute au 06.49.44.45.00)
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).
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!
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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 for a 2-hour guided hike:
Adult: €13
Adult reduced rate or youth: €11
Children 6-12 years: €8.50
- 5 years old: €3
Family pass (2 adults + 2 children aged 5-12): €34
Ride on the miniature train: €2
Access to the cave: 1.4 km on foot (free) or by small train (€2, only provides the ascent)
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...
Des concerts inoubliables pour une soirée
joyeuse familiale et insolite
A la lueur des bougies...A 400m sous terre...
Un concert à Lombrives, vous ne connaissez pas?
Normal, rien n'est comparable !
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
(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)
HALLOWEEN INTO THE CAVE
October 9, 2022: the Trio Pain Noir / Malo Tessier and Laurent Rochelle
October 28,29,30 and 31: Halloween walking show
December 31, 2022: New Year's Day concert aperitif 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. with Lily Jung
Programming 2023 but we already know that we have the privilege of hosting the
August 18, 2023 Vaslo, the artist who wins all the prizes - 8:30 p.m.
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
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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
Guilded hike 1/2 Day
