The Caves of La Balme

Image illustrative
© Grottes de la Balme

The Caves of La Balme

Adress:

Rue des Grottes
38390 La Balme-les-Grottes

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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!

Arrive under this impressive porch and enter the bowels of the cliff to discover labyrinths, an underground lake, stalactites and stalagmites, an amphitheater of small pools... that's what the Grottes de La Balme have to offer.

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.

Good to know

Temperate in summer and winter, sheltered from the rain, the Grottes de La Balme can be visited all year round and in all weathers, thanks to an average temperature of between 12° and 15°C!
This tourist site, which has been awarded the Accueil Vélo label, has all the services needed to welcome travellers by bike: lockers, luggage lockers, bike lockers, a drinking water refill point and a complete repair kit for minor damage.

Practical information

Equipments

  • Bicycle parking,

  • Free car park,

  • Coach parking,

  • Parking nearby,

  • Car park,

  • Charging stations for electric vehicles,

  • Defibrillator,

  • Picnic area,

  • Themed path,

  • Toilets

Services

  • Educational visits,

  • Coach access,

  • Motorhomes allowed,

  • Shop,

  • Tourist brochures,

  • Checkroom

Activities

Activity

Time schedule

Choose dates:

From 09/02/26 to 10/27/26
From 10/29/26 to 10/31/26
From 11/01/26 to 11/13/26

From 09/02/26 to 10/27/26

  • Monday :

    Closed

  • Tuesday :

    Closed

  • Wednesday :

    13h30 to 18h00

  • Thursday :

    13h30 to 18h00

  • Friday :

    13h30 to 18h00

  • Saturday :

    10h30 to 18h00

  • Sunday :

    10h30 to 18h00

  • Jours fériés :

    Closed

Prices

Payment method

  • Check,

  • Bank/credit card,

  • Cash,

  • Travellers Cheque,

  • Contactless payment

From 07/02/26 to 16/11/26

Adult
13€
Child (4 - 11 ans)
8€
Teenager
9€
Reduced price
6€
Family pass 3e enfant et plus Pass Famille : 6€ / enfant
35€
Job seeker
9€
Student
9€

Gratuit pour les moins de 4 ans

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Tips

Temperate in summer and winter, sheltered from the rain, the Grottes de La Balme can be visited all year round and in all weathers, thanks to an average temperature of between 12° and 15°C!
This tourist site, which has been awarded the Accueil Vélo label, has all the services needed to welcome travellers by bike: lockers, luggage lockers, bike lockers, a drinking water refill point and a complete repair kit for minor damage.

See more

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Latitude : 45.852366

Longitude : 5.339425

Rue des Grottes
38390 La Balme-les-Grottes
Go there

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.

Chambéry Grenoble Bourg-d'Oisans Bourgoin-Jallieu Vienne Lyon Valence Gap

Information updated on 06/09/2026
by Office du Tourisme Les Balcons du Dauphiné

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