Grotte de la Madeleine, Show cave in Saint-Remèze, France.
The Madeleine Cave extends through limestone formations in the Ardèche gorges, displaying numerous stalactites, stalagmites, and mineral columns across its chambers.
The cave, discovered in the early twentieth century, represents a significant geological formation that developed over millions of years through water erosion of calcium deposits.
The cave management offers guided tours in multiple languages, featuring a sound and light presentation that illustrates the geological processes of the cave system.
Visitors can access the cave from March to November, with guided tours lasting one hour and temperatures remaining constant at 13 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
The cave contains mineral formations in multiple colors, including red, orange, and white, resulting from different mineral compositions in the rock formations.
Location: Saint-Remèze
GPS coordinates: 44.33973,4.48502
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:47
The Ardèche combines natural formations with centuries of human settlement. This southeastern French département stretches from the volcanic heights of the Cévennes to deeply carved limestone gorges along the river of the same name. The Pont d'Arc, a 197-foot (60-meter) natural stone arch, marks the entrance to the Gorges de l'Ardèche, while the Grotte Chauvet preserves cave paintings created 36,000 years ago. The landscape alternates between forested plateaus like the Bois de Païolive, where weathered limestone takes unusual shapes, and river valleys that have supported communities for centuries. Several villages including Balazuc, Vogüé, and Labeaume cling to cliffsides above the water, their narrow lanes leading past castle ruins and Romanesque churches. The Cascade du Ray-Pic drops 197 feet (60 meters) over a basalt wall, while Mont Gerbier de Jonc holds the source of the Loire River. Beneath the surface, extensive cave systems include the Grotte de la Madeleine and the Aven d'Orgnac with its underground chambers. The Château de Crussol stands on a rocky outcrop above the Rhône valley, while the Château d'Aubenas dominates the town below. Between these natural and historical sites, the Train du Vivarais and the Vélorail des Gorges du Doux connect visitors to the region in practical ways.
Gorges de l'Ardèche
3.2 km
Aven d'Orgnac
6.2 km
Cave Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche
4.5 km
Musée de la Lavande
5.2 km
Réserve naturelle nationale des gorges de l'Ardèche
1.3 km
Aven Marzal
3.9 km
Grotte de la Tête du Lion
5.2 km
Zoo Préhistorique de Marzal: la Forêt des Dinos
4 km
Cité de la Préhistoire
5.8 km
Grotte des Deux ouvertures
5.2 km
Vestiges
1.6 km
Baume d'Oullins
2.2 km
Plage de Sauze
6.3 km
Champvermeil dolmen
6.1 km
Dolmens du Chanet
974 m
Chanet dolmen
2.4 km
Grosse Pierre
5 km
Colombier dolmen
5.1 km
Église Sainte-Anne de Laval-Saint-Roman
4.8 km
Église de Saint Remèze
6 km
Église de l'Orgnac-l'Aven
5.5 km
Église de Le Garn
3.8 km
Église de la Décollation-de-Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bidon
4.9 km
Grotte Huchard
5.3 km
Aven de la Rouvière
2.5 km
Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Saint-Remèze
6.1 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours de Malataverne
4.7 km
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