The Cave of Lombrives

Lombrives is one of the most visited major sites in Ariège. World-renowned, open all year round, exploring this incredible world begins with a climb on a hiking trail to the cave entrance (1,4 km on a hiking trail, or 15 -20 minutes walk or if you prefer using our little train). Under the porch of the cave, your guide leads you and comments on the hike in the immensity.... your guide accompanies you in Lombrives, a classified undeveloped natural site, recognized as the largest cave in Europe, for a family hike guided from 1 hour to 5 hours. You enter a fascinating natural cavity where legends, protohistory and history have left their mark...
You cross the Carina, walk on the fault, discover thousands of enigmatic symbols and names. Sacred Cathar land, Protestant refuge, brigands' hideout, mythical place...A fascination which led a powerful king, future king of France, to enter there for 400 m and leave a strange inscription on a wall, we tell you about its incredible epic but also many other equally fascinating stories. You take the narrow Passage du Crime. You find yourself in the grandiose Amphitheater: a cathedral ideal for both meditation and cultural events.
After the grand staircase (174 steps with a view overlooking the Cathedral), you access galleries decorated with curious concretions. You cross an underground prehistoric necropolis. Here you are in front of the tomb of Pyrene, the original place of the creation of the Pyrenees according to the Greek myths of Antiquity.
Then further on, the lake with its mysterious undulations.
Shelters for the Magdalenians, burial for the men of the Bronze Age, sacred place for the Cathars, refuge for the Protestants, and a cache...
Lombrives is also the cave that hosted the DEEP TIME scientific expedition in March 2021. 15 people who remained in the cave for 40 days without access to daylight, without contact with the outside and without access to time . 53 laboratories and research centers for a new and unique scientific experience in the world.

2-HOUR UNDERGROUND HIKE: a 2 km cool, narrated walk accessible to everyone with full motor skills

Terms of Access :

Classified undeveloped natural site.
Going up and down a large staircase with a bird's eye view of the Cathedral doesn't scare you?
You can walk 2 km in the cold for two hours, on natural ground that is a little steep and sometimes slippery?
Is taking a fairly steep hiking path for 200 meters within your reach?
So whatever your age, wear your walking shoes and put on VERY warm clothes (10 degrees in the cave only!)
Nice, clean dog kept on a tight leash accepted (€5 supplement)
Carrying of toddlers in front backpack only.
Cameras accepted

UNDERGROUND HIKE 1/2 DAY WITH GOURMET PICNIC IN THE CAVE
Did you follow the Deep Time scientific expedition of Christian Clot and his 14 teammates “confined” in the cave for 40 days? Using your portable lighting, come and discover their place of life and follow in the footsteps of many other explorers of past centuries. Intimate visit. Only a small number of you will be able to go to these protected galleries, rarely open to the public. AT THE MEETING: EXPLORATION, CONTEMPLATION, GEOLOGY, HISTORY AND... CONVIVIALITY. an unusual experience in a small group
(Heavy tasting of local products in the cave)

Terms of Access :
Doggies are not accepted for this adventure
Children over 12 years old only
Cameras accepted
Hiking shoes required. Warm and comfortable hiking clothing strongly recommended. A small empty backpack in which we can store the tasting products for the picnic.
Going up and down a large staircase with a bird's eye view of the Cathedral shouldn't scare you.
A 5 km walk for half a day, on slightly steep and sometimes slippery natural ground, should be within your reach.


“LITTLE EXPLORER” HIKE “in the footsteps of…”
(offered only during heritage days (special rate) All Saints' Day, Christmas, winter, spring and summer holidays!
After having crisscrossed the bucolic valley to the porch of the Lombrives cave by small tourist train, a guide awaits you for a hike "In the footsteps of..."
Your children are equipped with a headlamp and a helmet. Come visit a part of the network rarely open to the public, discover the various traces of human occupation from the Neolithic period, animal bones over 14 years old, and still plenty of surprises.
Become an explorer in a classified site for an afternoon! Thank you for accompanying your children.
Visit particularly suitable for children between 4 and 8 years old, but very interesting for toddlers and adults too!

NIGHT HIKE (2-hour tour in the cave)

CONTEMPLATIVE and introspective... RECHARGE IN THE HEART OF THE EARTH
During the All Saints' Day, Christmas, winter, spring and summer holidays!
After having crisscrossed the bucolic valley to the porch of the Lombrives cave on foot, a guide awaits you for a night hike.
An intimate visit to the cave, in privileged conditions: In the evening, when our hikers for the day have left the area. In the cave, only our small group. An unusual, relaxing, meditative, introspective or contemplative experience... There's something for everyone!



Lombrives also offers shows including the Christmas Halloween show and the legendary New Year's Day show.
There are also candlelit concerts all year round in the grandiose stone cathedral, larger than Notre Dame de Paris, with incomparable acoustics.

Additional Information :
Concerts are also organized within the cave

Ranking & labels

• Online Booking

Payment method

• Bank / credit card
• Cheque
• Classic Holiday Vouchers
• Cash

Opening

• Groups welcome up to 120 people

Customers

• School groups welcome
• Groups welcome