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- The Caves of La Balme
The Caves of La Balme
Indoor activities
Last updated date : 13/02/2026
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!
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.
Practical information
Address
Rue des Grottes - 38390 La Balme-les-Grottes
Languages
English, Spanish, French
Prices
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.
Openings
From 09/02 to 28/02/2026 from Monday to Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. Weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm.
Departure times weekends from 2 pm and from 4 pm.
Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm and 4pm
Exceptionally closed on 23rd and 24th February.
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 Friday and weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. On Wednesday and Thursday between 1.30 pm 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 Departure times daily from 2 pm, from 4 pm and from 11 am.
daily between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm.
From 02/09 to 27/10/2026 weekends between 10.30 am and 6 pm. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 1.30 pm and 6 pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Departure times on bank holidays and weekends from 4 pm and from 2 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.
Equipments
- Free car park
- Coach parking
- Bicycle parking
- Parking nearby
- Car park
- Charging stations for electric vehicles
- Defibrillator
- Picnic area
- See more...
- Toilets
Services
- Educational visits
- Coach access
- Motorhomes allowed
- Shop
- Tourist brochures
- Checkroom
Additional information
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;
Indoor activities
The Caves of La Balme
Rue des Grottes - 38390 La Balme-les-Grottes
I go by alternative transportation
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.
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