- Cave
- Bidon
- about 10 km from Bourg-Saint-Andéol
Grotte de Saint-Marcel
At the entrance to the Ardèche Gorges, a cave with immense galleries, known for its cascade of gours, pools sculpted by water.
What to see, what to know
The entrance to the cave lies in the commune of Bidon, at the entrance to the Ardèche Gorges. Yet it has belonged to the neighbouring commune of Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche since a donation made in 1228: hence its name.
Discovered by a hunter in the 1830s, it leads into a network of several dozen kilometres of galleries. Only a small part is fitted out for visitors. The site has been protected since 1934.
People come above all for the cascade of gours, a succession of natural pools picked out by lighting, and for the Cathedral chamber, with its stone draperies.
Visits are guided. The site also offers caving trips. Opening times and tickets on the official website.
Before or after your visit, stop off in Bourg-Saint-Andéol
All shops- Where to eatRestaurants, bakeries, pastry shops, butchers and grocers in the town.Restaurants and food shops
- Where to stayHotel or guest rooms: shop owners in the town can put you up.The places that offer rooms
- What to take homeOlive oil from the mill, wines bought at the estate, products from local producers and sweet treats.The local produce
Also worth seeing, close by
All the places to explore
Village · Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche · about 10 km awaySaint-Martin-d'Ardèche
The village where the Ardèche Gorges end: two beaches, a suspension bridge dating from 1905 and, on the opposite bank, Aiguèze.
HeritageDolmens of the Bois des Géantes
Six dolmens scattered through the Laoul woods, listed as historic monuments since 1900: a woodland walk back to prehistory.
HeritageVallon de Tourne and the Mithras bas-relief
Two springs at the foot of a rock, a wash house and a Roman bas-relief of the god Mithras carved into the rock face: a small valley south of the old town.