A unique underground journey in Europe, at 10°C all year round

Nestled in the Bourne Gorge, where the limestone cliffs open onto another world, the Choranche Cave reveals a spectacle that even the imagination struggles to anticipate. Here, time is measured in millennia, light in emerald reflections, and beauty in thousands of stalactites suspended like so many threads of mineral silk.

Nestled in the heart of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, at an altitude of 500 meters at the foot of the majestic Presles cliffs, which rise more than 300 meters vertically, the cave is one of the iconic natural sites of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Cool in summer (a constant 10°C), and seemingly untouched by time in every season, it welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year.

Delving into the heart of the Vercors

Why visit the Choranche cave in Isère?

The story of Choranche begins in 1871. Drought hit the village hard. The inhabitants went up the dried-up riverbed, followed the thin trickle of water coming out of a rock, moved aside a few stones… and came face to face with an immense chamber and a large underground lake.

For over 20 years, the cave remained secret. In 1897, the speleologist Oscar Descombaz was the first to explore it methodically. It opened its doors to the general public in 1967, driven by the passion of three speleologists who took on the challenge of sharing this underground treasure.

Today, speleological exploration continues beyond the developed areas. The site is classified as a natural emblem of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for the period 2022–2028.

The visit to the cave

What makes the Choranche Cave unique

The one-hour guided tour follows the course of the two underground rivers, crosses galleries whose vaults reach heights of over 15 meters, and leads to the final apotheosis: the Cathedral Hall and its sound and light show.

Caving in the Grotte de Choranche

A magical setting shaped by water and limestone that offers a unique spectacle in Europe!

The stalactites are a unique feature of the Choranche Cave. Thousands of extremely delicate stalactites—"calcite straws" that can reach over 3 meters in length—line the ceilings. They have grown by only 5 cm in 100 years. No other site in Europe has such a concentration of them.

Protes, curious inhabitants of the place

True stars of the visit, proteans are fascinating cave animals: they are blind, sensitive to light and capable of fasting for several consecutive months. These little salamander-like amphibians can live up to 80 years!

new sound and light show at the Choranche cave

We end in a spectacular finale in the Cathedral Hall!

A new sound and light show

Beneath a 25-meter ceiling, the visit concludes with an immersive sound and light show projected onto walls millions of years old. Projections, colors, and a soundtrack tell the geological history and legends of the Vercors.

To prepare for your visit

Located in the heart of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, 1 hour from Grenoble or Valence, 1h30 from Lyon, the Grotte de Choranche is open to the public all year round. The site is fully equipped and offers all the necessary amenities to welcome visitors (parking, bar, shop, etc.).

Prepare your visit and book your guided tour

2865 cave road
38680 CHORANCHE
+04 76 36 09 88

The cave is open all year round and every day. (Closed on January 1st and December 25th). Opening hours vary depending on the season. Remember to book in advance during peak season to guarantee your time slot.

Online reservation strongly recommended1-hour guided tour.

ADULT : From 13,70 to 14,70 €
CHILD (4-10 years old) : from €8,50 to €9,50
CHILD (0-3 years): Free
REDUCED PRICE : from €12,10 to €13,10 (unemployed, students, disabled adults and young people aged 11 to 17)

Book online





Things to discover around the cave