Le parc
We have indicated the recommended age for each activity opposite each animation, but obviously everything depends on the agility and precocity of each child.
The schedules for cave visits and activities are organized so you can do everything in one day. However, in this case, you must arrive at the site as soon as it opens.
Download your schedule as a PDF from the "Timetable" page.
The park is relatively flat, and access between the workshops is via dirt or grassy paths. However, you must leave your stroller at reception or in your vehicle before going into the cave.
We offer our visitors several picnic areas, both covered and uncovered.
Our snack bar, "Le Chasseur Cueilleur" (The Hunter-Gatherer), offers light meals featuring local products, as well as hot and cold drinks, to enjoy on-site or to take away within the park.
Le Chasseur Cueilleur is open until 5:30 PM!
To avoid any disputes, it's best to have proof of purchase with your tickets downloaded beforehand to your smartphone. 3G or 4G coverage on the site isn't always reliable. However, if you forget, don't worry: we have a record of your booking at the site's reception!
Please arrive at the site 15 minutes before the start of your booked tour or activity.
At the Cerdon Caves, you'll be "out in the field," immersed in nature.
Dress accordingly, wearing clothing suitable for outdoor activities, which can be more or less messy depending on your abilities.
Remember, you're stepping back in time!
The prehistoric activities we offer are designed for both adults and children.
The park's concept is to provide a fun family experience.
Relaxation areas are located near the activity areas for adults who prefer to relax on the park's deck chairs.
Only those wearing the "PARK" wristband have access to the park. Children are the responsibility of their parents and must be accompanied by at least one adult.
Children are the responsibility of their parents/guardians and must therefore be accompanied by at least one adult.
It is not possible to purchase activity tickets for children without also purchasing tickets for the parents.
The park's concept is to share activities as a family. Adults who do not wish to participate in the activities can enjoy the relaxation areas near the activity locations.
A special storytelling tour is offered to families (with young children aged 3-5) on Sundays at 1 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made online.
Workshops on painting, prehistoric pottery, and fire-making techniques complement this tour, introducing prehistory to young children! Parents are welcome to assist their children in the other workshops.
Pets are welcome in the park provided their owners keep them on a leash, ensure they are quiet and respectful of other visitors (barking), and adhere to cleanliness rules (cleaning up after them).
For cave tours, only pets that can be carried throughout the entire visit are permitted.
There are many shaded areas in the park. The picnic and activity areas are also shaded.
No, because all activities can be done under shelter, except for spear throwing, but it rarely rains continuously… and nothing stops the valiant hunters!
We advise you to plan your day by focusing on the workshops you absolutely want to do and the time you prefer to visit the caves.
Most activities are a maximum of 3 to 5 minutes apart on foot. Numerous paths wind through the park. The schedules take into account travel time between two nearby activities. The two workshops furthest apart are pottery and fire-making, but you won't be able to walk more than 5 minutes between them with a young child.
Yes, but as the park is dedicated to prehistoric activities, you will need a ticket to access it (ticket including the activities).
Activities do not require reservations. Each activity is limited to approximately 30 participants. Therefore, reservations are not necessary as numerous time slots are available for each activity. Arriving early in the morning allows you to easily enjoy the cave tour and all the prehistoric activities.
Depending on the number of visitors to the park, we add an activity leader and therefore additional activities.
However, you can reserve a spot for the guided cave tour, which is offered at set times (see the schedule on the calendar).
Our recommendation: Before your visit, plan your day according to the times indicated on our calendar page.
No, but we do accept cultural vouchers (those with the orange Up square)!
For the park, yes: it's relatively flat, and access between the workshops is via dirt or grassy paths.
For the caves: no, because of the stairs! You can leave your stroller at reception or in your vehicle before going into the cave.
If you wish, we provide baby carriers free of charge at the site's reception.
No, the ticket for the prehistoric activities includes access to all workshops. We recommend allowing ample time to fully enjoy the site.
Les grottes
The schedules for cave visits and activities are organized so you can do everything in one day. However, in this case, you must arrive at the site as soon as it opens.
Download your schedule as a PDF from the "Timetable" page.
The cave tour is divided into two parts (see map).
Part 1: The upper gallery, 800 meters long, is roughly equivalent to descending five stories. The route includes several stops to admire the scenery.
Yes, but only if they are carried or placed in a basket.
To protect the environment, they must not be allowed to touch the ground!
The entire reception area (ticket office, shop, snack bar, and restrooms) is wheelchair accessible. The Cerdon Caves are not accessible by wheelchair or stroller. The park is wheelchair accessible with the assistance of a guide. The park's paths are mostly grassy.
The Hunter-Gatherer, located in the welcome area, offers light meals, primarily featuring local products, as well as hot and cold drinks, waffles, and ice cream to enjoy on-site or take away within the park. The snack bar is open continuously throughout the day on weekends, public holidays, and school holidays.
From mid-July to mid-August, and on busy days, the Cro-Magnon bar is open in the park from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, offering drinks and ice cream.
On select weekends, Le Terrier - Cuisine Champêtre will open its doors, offering homemade cuisine with gourmet burgers and delicious desserts.
All the information is available on our Food & Drink Offers page.
No, but we offer visitors the option of exploring the caves independently and downloading the guided tour in various languages to their own smartphones before arriving.
Download the app. Available in French, English, Dutch, and Spanish.
We also offer printed translations of the tour upon request at the site's reception desk (English, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and Russian).
You can choose a self-guided tour (reserved for groups of fewer than 8 people). Children must be supervised by their parents or guardians. It is forbidden to leave the main path, cross the barriers, or touch the concretions. Download the audio guide to your phone.
Photography is permitted, but without flash or tripods so as not to disturb other visitors. Photos may not be used online without the permission of the Cerdon Caves. Videography is prohibited.
Bring warm clothing (fleece type) and comfortable shoes, preferably flat.
Part 1: Approximately 45 minutes
Parts 2 and 2 together: Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
Please inform reception upon your arrival at our site and we will do so subject to availability.
When purchasing your tickets on our website, you will be able to select your preferred tour time.
This will guarantee you a place on your chosen departure date.
Upon arrival at our site, please check in at reception no later than 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time, with your tickets. If you purchase your tickets on-site, you will only be able to choose your cave tour time based on remaining availability.
The storytelling tour is an activity included in the park's offerings and requires a combined ticket booked online. However, depending on availability on the day of your visit, the storytelling tour alone may be possible.
This storytelling tour is designed for children aged 4 to 6 with accompanying adults. It takes place every Sunday at 1 p.m., and to participate, simply book online at least 24 hours in advance.
This fun tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes and allows younger children to discover the cave while actively participating in a story.
The adventure ends in the main chamber. The guide then offers participants the option, depending on their abilities, of continuing to the viewpoint overlooking the Cerdon vineyards (allow an additional 30 minutes).
No, because of the stairs! Please note that we provide baby carriers free of charge.
The upper gallery is 13/14°C, then drops to around 10°C at the entrance to the main chamber. In the second part, at the siphon, the temperature falls to 4°C for 5 minutes. On the viewing platform, you'll find the outside temperature again.
The entire route through the caves is well-maintained, marked, and lit, but the changes in elevation, stairs, and temperature variations require more physical effort than a simple walk outdoors. Each participant should assess their own fitness level, keeping in mind that the first part is quite accessible.
The second part of the circuit is the most physically demanding.
The main section corresponds to the cave-filled gallery, and the path forms a loop starting and ending at the site's reception area (one way approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour). For those who don't mind an additional uphill effort, it's possible to continue to the viewpoint at the end of this gallery. It overlooks the Cerdon Valley and its vineyards (round trip approximately 30 minutes).
This second section, with a greater elevation gain, is therefore optional, at each individual's own pace.
No, but we do accept cultural vouchers (those with the orange Up square)!
For the park, yes: it's relatively flat, and access between the workshops is via dirt or grassy paths.
For the caves: no, because of the stairs! You can leave your stroller at reception or in your vehicle before going into the cave.
If you wish, we provide baby carriers free of charge at the site's reception.
