Grottes de Saint-Cézaire
A cave with pink columns that a farmer found in his own field
The story
Before you is the entrance to the Grottes de Saint-Cézaire. On June 16, 1890, a farmer was clearing his field and came upon a hole in the ground. For several years he threw farm waste into it, and only then was the cave explored. It was shown to visitors almost at once. In 1920 scenes of the silent film Phroso, with the actor Charles Vanel, were shot here. In 1926 electric light was brought into the cave. At one point it was closed for six years, and in 1946 it opened again. A path about two hundred meters long goes down almost forty meters underground. It is fifteen degrees here all year round. The columns are pink and lilac, and the formations that look like organ pipes are red. There is a Hall of Draperies, aragonite crystals, and stalactites that ring like a musical instrument. The tour ends on a balcony above a deep chasm. An underground river flows at its bottom.
Visiting
Open every day from early February to November 11: 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00, last tour at 17:00; June to August, 10:00–19:00. Guided tours only, about 40 minutes, in French and English. Adults €10.50, children 3–15 €7, under 3 free; booking ahead is best. No animals. Bring a warm layer and non-slip shoes. Free parking. From Grasse, Sillages bus B to the stop “Les grottes.” Address: 1481 Route des Grottes. Hours and prices are best checked on grotte-saintcezaire.com.
Sources
- Grottes de Saint-Cézaire — La grotte d’azur
- Grottes de Saint-Cézaire — Infos utiles
- Showcaves.com — Grottes de Saint-Cézaire
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