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StalagmiteBest Caves in the Pyrénées  As you might expect with so much water flowing down from the mountain tops, the Pyrénées has a wide range of cave complexes.  They are mainly concentrated in the lower reaches of the Pyrénées where one can find some real subterranean masterpieces!  They provide an excellent option for rainy days as the temperature will usually be around 13 degree C underground, whatever the weather outside!

Grotte de LombrivesGrotte de Lombrives

Location: At Ussat-les-Bains, 2km south east of Tarascon-
sur-Ariège, around 100km south of Toulouse along the A66 autoroute.
General Info:  Guided tours are held every 45 minutes in peak season between 9AM and 7PM.  2005 Admission prices range from €7 per adult/€4 per child for the discovery trail, through to
€34.70 per adult/ €25 per child for a 5 hour underground discovery adventure.  There is an additional €1.40 charged for the train ride.  For more information telephone on 05 61 05 98 40 or visit the official website.
Description:  The Grotte de Lombrives claims to be the biggest show cave in Europe and has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records for more than 40 years!
Our recommendations: Take some warm clothes because, in common with most show caves, it will only be about 13 deg C underground. During the summer season there are regular spectaculars and concerts held.  See the website for details.
For the children: They will enjoy the underground train ride.

Our favourite caves in the Pyrénées:


         - Grottes de Bétharram
         - Grotte de Lombrives
         - Grottes de Médous
         - Grotte de Niaux



 

External websites offering information on the Pyrénées:

-
Pyrénées National Park official site.  Good site, including English, with advice for walking with the family and some suggested routes.
- Pyrénées Info Site.  Useful website on the Pyrénées (French only).
- Ariège - nice site on this beautiful area of the central Pyrénées.
- Argelès-Gazost - another useful website on the central Pyrénées area.
Chosen by our children:

     - Top Ten Holiday destinations in France