Description:

Grottes de Betharram, near Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrenees

The Grottes de Betharram were first discovered in 1810 and were opened to the public in 1903 after many years of work by Leon Ross, a local artist and photographer.

They are one of the most impressive cave structures in Europe, with huge galleries and chambers carved out by the underground river and fantastic chasms created as the river worked its way deeper underground.

The visit is completely guided in multiple languages and takes around one hour thirty minutes to complete, including a short barge trip across the lake and one kilometre miniature train ride to complete the tour.

On site is a gift shop and café serving drinks and snacks.

Animals and photography are not allowed within the caves.

Access :

From Lourdes, follow the D937 towards Pau for about fifteen kilometres until you reach the village of Saint-Pe-de-Bigorre.  The Grottes are signposted from here.

Opening hours :

During the summer months of April – October

0900 – 1200 and 1330 – 1730

During winter, from November to March

Monday to Thursday – tours at 1430 and 1600

Friday – one tour at 1430

A minimum group size of ten is required for a tour to go ahead.

Grottes de Betharram website.

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