Grottes du Cerdon – Prehistoric Leisure Park

In the middle flowed a river

In the cool of a subterranean route within the earth itself, you’ll travel along the bed of an ancient river, now extinct!

You enter the underground world by following the bed of an ancient river in the rock, from its point of burial to its outlet. The descent is gradual and safe, as the underground world sculpted by the water reveals its spectacular concretions. They create a magical universe.

But the grand finale awaits you at the exit, in the immense rock hall carved out by the river siphon. The river’s resurgence in the middle of the cliff has opened up a belvedere overlooking a valley carved out by the tumultuous flow: a breathtaking view of the Cerdon vineyards.

The cave is fantastic! Luckily we’d brought our sweaters, as it’s chilly inside. We also took advantage of the park’s educational and fun activities. In fact, we spent the whole day there, with no time to spare. The children were delighted to show us the bracelet and pottery they’d made on the way back.

Back to the past

Surrounding the caves where Neolithic humans made their home, the prehistoric theme park offers workshops where you can learn about the life and techniques used by our ancestors in their daily lives: hunting with a thruster, shaping pottery, making fire…

Children will be fascinated by the work of archaeologists as they discover the reality of an excavation site and the secrets it reveals about the way of life of Paleolithic humans.

A fun-filled day for the whole family. The outdoors, archaeology, sharing and discovering the underground world – it’s all in good fun!

©Children's thruster workshop at Grottes du Cerdon|Godin

3visiting modes

Self-guided, guided or storytelling

6participatory workshops

Suitable for the whole family

4degrees

Minimum cave temperature

1hour

Between 45 min and 1h30 in the cave

Discovery PassMore than 20 tourist attractions at smart prices

19€PASS 3 sites

31€

PASS 3 sites
+ bird park

Caves at your own pace

Three types of tour are available:

Self-guided with audio-guide. But will you go all the way to the belvedere? That’s up to you, as the gradient is greater on this optional part of the tour.
On guided tours (book online), our guides tell the story of the cave’s creation.
On Sundays, for 4 to 6 year-olds and their parents, there’s a storytelling tour to follow the water fairy!

More information

Cave tour + park & activitiesCoupled ticket

You can organize your day as you wish, according to the schedule of visits and workshops (starting at 11am). There’s something for everyone. The park has picnic areas where you can relax and unwind at your own pace!

Prehistoric workshopsIn the family

Parents and children alike will get their hands dirty hunting like our ancestors, making ornaments just the way they liked them, creating pottery, painting or learning to make fire. All activities can be done during the day and are designed to be shared as a family.

GOOD TO KNOW

Discover the Cerdon caves

Since excavations began in the early 20th century, numerous traces of human occupation have been found: bones, ash heaps over 4 metres high, pottery shards, flints and even a human skull with prominent arches.

But it was thanks to the discovery of a cheese-maker who used the large cavity at Saint Julien to refine his Bleu de Gex that the Cerdon cave system was discovered in 1930.

Grottes du Cerdon - Prehistoric Leisure Park

Elevation : 581m

Col de Cerdon, D1084, 01450 Labalme

04 74 37 36 79

www.grotte-cerdon.com

Spoken languages

Environment

Close to a public transportation
Bus stop < 500 m

Access

D1084 between Nantua and Pont-d'Ain
Freeway A42 exit n°9 Pont d'Ain then D1084 direction Nantua
A42 freeway, exit 8 Hauteville, then D1084 towards Labalme/Poncin