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

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.

Spoken languages

• Dutch
• German
• English
• Spanish
• French

Themes

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

Labels and ranking

• Famille Plus
• Indoor
• Qualité Tourisme™
• "Accueil Vélo" : Cyclists Welcome label
• Recommended by high heat