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On the Grand Site de l'Aven d'Orgnac, the Cité de la Préhistoire - a modern, playful museographic space with the Musée de France label - evokes 350,000 years of human adventures through authentic collections of local remains of human occupation.
Description
Understanding the age-old history of the earth and its inhabitants
Situated just a stone's throw from the Gorges de l'Ardèche, Aven d'Orgnac is a unique site in several respects: classified for its scientific value, it has been awarded the "Grand site de France" label for its sustainable management of an exceptional natural site. It offers a wide range of activities in the same area, enabling visitors to understand both the geological evolution of the area and its occupation by man over the course of time, notably at the Cité de la Préhistoire.
To visit the Cité de la Préhistoire is to experience a moving face-to-face encounter with our ancestors, and to better understand who these not-so-distant men and women were!
In this museographic space, spanning 350,000 years of human adventures - from the Middle Paleolithic to the First Iron Age - authentic objects from excavations in the Ardèche and northern Gard regions are presented in a redesigned museography, featuring multi-player touch tables, engaging soundscapes, explanatory videos, life-size illustrations and more. A modern, emotionally-charged visit that offers a fresh look at the remains on display, and depending on the season, the chance to try out prehistoric activities such as fire, flint and darts!
>>>> Discover the Grand Site de France
Continue your visit to the Grand Site de France with the Grotte d'Orgnac, which adjoins the Cité de la Préhistoire.
Its gigantic volumes and the beauty of its subterranean landscapes are astonishing. Giant palms, translucent fistulas, eccentrics, candlesticks, organ cases, columns, ochre-coloured draperies, clay fir trees... coiled in balance beneath ceilings up to 55 metres high.
The Grotto and the Cité de Préhistoire: two reasons to marvel at the past!
Spoken languages
- German
- English
- Spanish
- French
- Dutch
Themes
- History
- Sciences and technology
- Arts and culture
- Prehistoric
- Archeological
- Anthropology
- Natural sciences
- Ethnology
- Natural history
- Local history
- Geology
Labels and ranking
- Famille Plus
- Indoor
- Qualité Tourisme™
- "Accueil Vélo" : Cyclists Welcome label
- Recommended by high heat
Booking / Reservation
Activities
- Activity
- Children's entertainment
- Product tasting
- Temporary exhibition
- Theatre
Opening
Closed exceptionally on January 1st and December 25th.
From 01/02 to 15/11/2025, daily.
Visit
Active tours and workshops available for school children and students. By appointment only - at least 2 weeks notice required. Please contact Philippe Barth: Tel (+33) 475 386 806.
Individual tour
- Unguided individual tours available permanently
- Average Duration of the individual tour: 120 minutes
Group tour
- Guided group tours on request
- Average duration of groups visit: 120 minutes
- Min. group size: 20
- Max. group size: 150
Rate
Reduced price: 13 €
Child: 11 €
Audioguide: 2 €.
Free entry for children < 6 years.
Group rate available for > 20 people.
Payment options:
- Bank/credit card
- Check
- Travellers Cheque
- Cash
- Credit transfer
- Pass’Région
- Culture Pass
Amenities and Services
- Booking of general amenities
- Coach access
- Educational visits
- Guided tours
- Motorhomes allowed
- Restaurant
- Set down on-site for groups
- Shop
- Themed tour
- Tourist brochures
- Tourist information
- Wi-fi
- Play area
- Picnic area
- Lift
- Auditorium
- Bar
- Toilets
- Public WC
- Air conditioning
- Exhibition space
- Car park
- Defibrillator
- Sustainable development
- Film room
- Parking nearby
- Coach parking
- Waste management
- Photovoltaic panel
Accessibility
- Hearing disability
- Visual disability
- Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance