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The Caves of La Balme
Description
Small pools, labyrinths, concretions and a lake: the Grottes de La Balme, located 40 minutes from Lyon, are rich in what nature has shaped. Discover a rare and exceptional natural site offering an unusual insight into the underground world!
Arrive under this impressive porch and enter the bowels of the cliff to discover labyrinths, an underground lake, stalactites and stalagmites, an amphitheater of small pools... that's what the Grottes de La Balme have to offer.
Take your time on a self-guided tour lasting around 1 hour 15 minutes, or take a guided tour (booking required).
Visited since 1807, the Grottes de La Balme reveal their history and mysteries as you explore 1,000 meters of underground galleries.
Located in the Nord-Isère region, in the center of the village of La Balme-les-Grottes, the caves are an exciting detour in the Balcons du Dauphiné region.
Round off your day with a free visit to the Espace Naturel Sensible “Les Coteaux de Saint-Roch”, with its signposted path and discovery booklet. This protected natural area allows you to observe the particular features of the cliffs, forest and dry grasslands surrounding the Grottes de La Balme, home to numerous species of protected plants and animals.
Become true adventurers with our 100% family-friendly activities! A playful visit with Archibalme's Investigation: young and old alike will be delighted.
Summer and winter alike, the underground world never ceases to amaze!
The souvenir store is open at the same time as the caves, and offers a wide range of gifts: crockery, textiles, stones, a selection of books and other must-have items for yourself or as a gift.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Date and time
- From 01/03/2026 to 31/03/2026
- From 01/04/2026 to 30/04/2026
- From 01/05/2026 to 03/05/2026 from 10:30 to 18:00
- From 06/05/2026 to 10/05/2026
- From 13/05/2026 to 17/05/2026
- From 20/05/2026 to 24/05/2026
- The 25/05/2026
- From 27/05/2026 to 03/07/2026
- From 04/07/2026 to 01/09/2026
- From 02/09/2026 to 27/10/2026
- From 29/10/2026 to 31/10/2026 from 15:00 to 20:00
- From 01/11/2026 to 13/11/2026
Additional information
Open period
From 01/03 to 31/03/2026 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. Weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm and 4pm. From 01/04 to 30/04/2026 from Monday to Friday between 1 pm and 6 pm. Weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm and 4pm. Exceptionally closed on Mondays 20 and 27 April and Tuesdays 21 and 28 April. From 01/05 to 03/05/2026 between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Guided tours at 2pm and 4pm (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). From 06/05 to 10/05/2026 on Wednesday and Thursday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. On Friday and weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Guided tours at 2pm and 4pm (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). From 13/05 to 17/05/2026 on Wednesday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. On Thursday, Friday and weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. From 20/05 to 24/05/2026 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. Weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. 25/05/2026 between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Departure times from 2 pm and from 4 pm. From 27/05 to 03/07/2026 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. Weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Departure times on bank holidays and weekends from 2 pm and from 4 pm. From 04/07 to 01/09/2026 daily between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm. Departure times daily from 11 am, from 2 pm and from 4 pm. From 02/09 to 27/10/2026 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. Weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Departure times on bank holidays and weekends from 2 pm and from 4 pm. From 29/10 to 31/10/2026 between 3 pm and 8 pm. From 01/11 to 13/11/2026 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. Weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Departure times on bank holidays and weekends from 2 pm and from 4 pm.
Updated by
Office du Tourisme Les Balcons du Dauphiné - 02/03/2026
www.balconsdudauphine-tourisme.com/
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Price(s)
Adult: 11 € Child (4-11 years): 8 € Teenager (12-17 years): 9 € Reduced price: from 6 € Family pass: 35 € Job seeker: 9 € Student: 9 €. Free entry for children under 4.
Contact
Phone : 04 74 96 95 00
Email : info@grotteslabalme.com
Website : https://www.grotteslabalme.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/lesgrottesdelabalme
Google+ : https://maps.google.com/?cid=11722745970484348236
Tips
Temperate in summer and winter, sheltered from the rain, the Grottes de La Balme can be visited all year round and in all weathers, thanks to an average temperature of between 12° and 15°C! This tourist site, which has been awarded the Accueil Vélo label, has all the services needed to welcome travellers by bike: lockers, luggage lockers, bike lockers, a drinking water refill point and a complete repair kit for minor damage.
Location complements
The La Balme caves are located in the Balcons du Dauphiné region of Northern Isère, 40 minutes from Lyon and 50 minutes from Bourgoin-Jallieu and Bourg-en-Bresse.
Gift voucher
You can now purchase gift vouchers online, valid for one or more visits to the Balme Caves. Choose between a self-guided tour, a guided tour or an activity. It couldn't be easier: simply go to the online ticket office, click on ‘book’, choose the activity you want and select ‘offer this activity’. Once you have selected the number of tickets, confirm your choice and specify the name of the recipient of the gift. Once your payment has been processed, you will receive a document that is ready to print and give as a gift!
Services for children
Investigate the Balme Caves! With the help of a game booklet, follow Archibalme on the trail of a treasure that has been missing since 1908. Between puzzles and hidden clues, explore the caves from a historical perspective and enjoy a wonderful adventure with your family! Game booklet on sale for €1 at the cave reception desk.
Reception complements
During the summer period, Dutch visits schedules are defined and fixed on certain days. Outside the summer period, the visits are in foreign languages on request;
Animals
No
Data author
