100 years of the Grotte du Grand Roc

Amazing ! The Grotte du Grand Roc celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 14, an unforgettable anniversary when we know that the place has been subject to human occupation for at least 18,000 years. If you have not yet visited this geological treasure of the Dordogne, now is the time! Head quickly to Les Eyzies to discover a unique underground world , which has amazed young and old for 100 years now.

The Grotte du Grand Roc, a discovery that is already 100 years old

It was actually in 1924 that the speleologist and prehistorian Jean Maury discovered the caves and its wonders, but it took two years of work to authorize its opening to the public in 1927. Originally, he worked on the excavations of the Laugerie site -Low , but his curiosity pushes him to explore further on the cliff. A constant oozing attracts his attention, the start of a great adventure since this flow alone leads him to the entrance of a cave, the future Grotte du Grand Roc which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Today, it is the only concretion cave in the Vézère Valley classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Grotte du Grand Roc, a great family discovery

To access it, simply park in the car park before reaching the ticket office. The first sight on your arrival remains the breathtaking view of the Vézère Valley, take the time to admire it before going underground! Climb the 76 steps of a beautiful staircase to enter a large corridor, the start of an unexpected family visit. Accompanied by your guide, discover the magnificent concretions , stalactites, stalagmites, columns, draperies which form like a veil, triangular calcites... wonders of nature highlighted by plays of light. Eccentrics are also a way to have fun spotting incongruous shapes, like a whale's tail, a sword or even a "smurf"!!!

The Grotte du Grand Roc, a visit to the storm lamp not to be missed

If you want to discover an incredible mineral forest, opt for the storm lamp visit, offered during school holidays and Monday and Thursday in summer at 6:30 p.m. Only the light of the storm lamp illuminates you, a reconstruction of the conditions of Jean Maury in the Caves during his research. The corridors become secret passages and the concretions of incredible shapes which evolve from room to room, compelling the imagination and admiration. Once the first tour is completed, the route is carried out again with the usual light to appreciate the details of the crystallizations and their density. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Grottes du Grand Roc with a visit to the storm lamp, your children will love playing the speleologists of the evening.

The Grotte du Grand Roc, some useful information for visiting it

The site is quite easy to access since there is a large car park where you can park before reaching the ticket office. You can also book your ticket online before your arrival. Don't hesitate to take the combined ticket to enjoy a visit to the Laugerie-Basse Prehistoric Shelter on the same site. The visit to the Grotte du Grand Roc is done in groups and with a guide, the opportunity to ask all your questions about the concretions. Remember to bring a vest or a little wool so you don't shiver, the caves are real natural air conditioning which keeps the temperature at 16°C ! Finally, even if cameras are prohibited in the caves, they are useful at the end of visits to capture the beauty of the landscapes of the Vézère Valley.

The good plan? The Prehistory and Geology Pass which gives you access to the Caves of Lascaux IV, the Parc du Thot, the Grotte du Grand Roc and the Prehistoric Shelter of Laugerie-Basse. Book your ticket !

Don't wait another 100 years to live an incredible experience , in the heart of a mineral forest! Open from March to November, the Grotte du Grand Roc takes you into a unique geological universe to discover without delay.

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