Description
36.000 years ago, in a deep cave, the first artists in the history of Humanity painted a masterpiece: horses, lions, rhinoceroses and many other animals captured from life, hunting , running or confronting each other.
Discovered in 1994, the Chauvet cave, which revolutionized the history of art and mentalities, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its replica, the Chauvet 2 – Ardèche cave, opened in 2015, today allows the public to discover the first great masterpiece of Humanity.
An unmissable cultural destination a stone's throw from the Gorges de l'Ardèche and Pont-d'Arc, it has established itself as the most visited cultural site in Ardèche.
The visit to the cave (guided or audio-guided) invites you on a journey to the origins of art, to an immersion in Prehistory.
On the site, other discoveries await you, such as the Aurignacian Gallery which complements the visit of the reconstruction and allows you to better understand who our ancestors were, their art and their environment, in an immersive and interactive scenography.
Through a brand new immersive exhibition, "Grotte Chauvet, l'Aventure Scientifique", Grotte Chauvet 2 invites you to follow the scientists' work step by step, to explore their methods and to experience the scientific adventure yourself.
Throughout the year, a cultural program, conferences, workshops and events allow you to prolong the experience and rediscover the immemorial gestures of our ancestors.
Entry includes guided tour of the cave, access to the Aurignacian Gallery, the "Chauvet, the Scientific Adventure" exhibition, activities and workshops (according to the program).
Also enjoy the restaurant and its panoramic view of the Ardèche Mountains, open all year round, as well as the bookshop and its more than 1000 references.
On Monday and Thursday evenings during the summer from July 6 to August 27, 2026 and during the Christmas holidays, experience Prehistory in a different way with Les Soirées de Chauvet!
Discover the light and sound trail at nightfall with its many playful, spectacular, poetic and musical installations: giant mapping on the facade of the cave, holograms of prehistoric animals, shadow and light games at the paleo camp and an original musical experience!
Opening
From 01/09 to 30/09/2026 every day from 9 a.m. to 19 p.m.
From 01/10 to 16/10/2026 every day from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
From 17/10 to 01/11/2026 every day from 9:30 a.m. to 19:30 p.m.
From 02/11 to 18/12/2026 every day from 10:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m.
From 19/12/2026 to 03/01/2027 every day from 10:30 a.m. to 19 p.m.
December 24th: from 10:30 pm to 16:30 pm
December 25th: 14pm to 18:30pm
December 31st: 14pm to 18:30pm.
Prices
| Full price: € 18 |
| Reduced rate: €9 (10 to 17 years old & RSA beneficiaries) |
| Child (10-17 years): Free for children under 10. |
| Free for under 10 years. |
| Group rate from 20 people. |
| Full price for Chauvet Evenings: €25 |
| Reduced price for Chauvet Evenings (RSA recipients, ages 10-17): €12,50 |
| Free evenings at Chauvet for children under 10. |
| Annual pass (unlimited): €25/year |
| The price includes: |
| - Unlimited access to the Chauvet 2 Cave site for 1 year (except for privatization of the site): guided* and audio-guided* tour of the cave replica, prestige tour*, Aurignacian Gallery, free exhibition "Chauvet Cave, the Scientific Adventure". |
| - Access to all events and activities according to the schedule (more information on the website, under the agenda section) |
| - A 10% discount at the restaurant (for a bill of up to €100) |
| - A 10% discount at the bookstore |
| * Subject to reservation and availability. |
| Preferential rate with our partners: Cité de la Préhistoire and Grand site de l’Aven d’Orgnac / Pont du Gard / Crocodile farm. Under conditions. |
Localisation