The Caves of La Balme
Bon à savoir
Temperate in summer and winter, sheltered from the rain, the Grottes de La Balme can be visited all year round and in all weathers, thanks to an average temperature of between 12° and 15°C!
This tourist site, which has been awarded the Accueil Vélo label, has all the services needed to welcome travellers by bike: lockers, luggage lockers, bike lockers, a drinking water refill point and a complete repair kit for minor damage.
About
Small pools, labyrinths, concretions and a lake: the Grottes de La Balme, located 40 minutes from Lyon, are rich in what nature has shaped. Discover a rare and exceptional natural site offering an unusual insight into the underground world!
Arrive under this impressive porch and enter the bowels of the cliff to discover labyrinths, an underground lake, stalactites and stalagmites, an amphitheater of small pools... that's what the Grottes de La Balme have to offer.
Take your time on a self-guided tour lasting around 1 hour 15 minutes, or take a guided tour (booking required).
Visited since 1807, the Grottes de La Balme reveal their history and mysteries as you explore 1,000 meters of underground galleries.
Located in the Nord-Isère region, in the center of the village of La Balme-les-Grottes, the caves are an exciting detour in the Balcons du Dauphiné region.
Round off your day with a free visit to the Espace Naturel Sensible “Les Coteaux de Saint-Roch”, with its signposted path and discovery booklet. This protected natural area allows you to observe the particular features of the cliffs, forest and dry grasslands surrounding the Grottes de La Balme, home to numerous species of protected plants and animals.
Become true adventurers with our 100% family-friendly activities! A playful visit with Archibalme's Investigation: young and old alike will be delighted.
Summer and winter alike, the underground world never ceases to amaze!
The souvenir store is open at the same time as the caves, and offers a wide range of gifts: crockery, textiles, stones, a selection of books and other must-have items for yourself or as a gift.
Services & facilieties
- Picnic area
- Toilets
- Themed path
- Car park
- Defibrillator
- Parking nearby
- Coach parking
- Charging station for 2 electric wheels
- Bicycle parking
- Educational visits
- Coach access
- Motorhomes allowed
- Shop
- Tourist brochures
- Spot photo
- Checkroom
Opening
From 04/09 to 29/09/2024
Opening hours on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. On Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 6 pm.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.
From 05/10 to 20/10/2024, every Saturday and Sunday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm.
From 21/10 to 03/11/2024, daily between 1.30 pm and 6 pm.
From 09/11 to 11/11/2024, daily between 1.30 pm and 6 pm.
From 28/12/2024 to 05/01/2025, daily between 1.30 pm and 6 pm.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st.
Rates
Adult: 11 €
Child (4-11 years): 8 €
Teenager (12-17 years): 9 €
Reduced price: 9 €
Family pass: 35 to 40 €
Job seeker: 9 €
Student: 9 €.
Free entry for children < 4 years.
Mode of payment
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Check
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Cash
- Contactless payment
Complement welcome
During the summer period, Dutch visits schedules are defined and fixed on certain days. Outside the summer period, the visits are in foreign languages on request;
Languages spoken
- English
- Spanish
- French