Soyons cave and museum
A unique archaeological site unearthing the Neanderthals’ secrets.
Guided cave tour
Ardèche is home to an extraordinary subterranean heritage. There are a number of caves to visit in the south of the department, including l’Aven d’Orgnac, la Forestière, la Grotte de la Madeleine, la Grotte de Saint-Marcel, l’Aven Marzal, la Grotte Chauvet 2, and more besides.
Located further north, in the Rhône corridor, Soyons caves combine wonder and nature, with limestone concretions sculpted by seepage water and a journey back in time. The subsoil attests to human occupation from prehistoric times with Neanderthal man. Two caves are open to the public: the first confirms the presence of Neanderthal man (Nero’s Cave), while another cave, featuring a wonderful network of limestone concretions, provides a dreamlike setting (The Fox Hole).
Discover both caves as part of a guided tour. Nero’s cave, classified as a French historical monument, invites you on a journey into prehistory in the very places where Neanderthals and cave animals lived alternately for thousands of years. The atmosphere is different in the Fox Hole cave, where you will discover a natural, dreamlike setting of stalactites and stalagmites. In this cave, whatever the external temperature, the internal temperature is around 15°C in the deepest section.
The archaeological museum
Extend your experience with a visit to the archaeological museum, located just a stone’s throw from the cave car park. The museum showcases artefacts unearthed in Soyons, revealing treasures from Prehistory right up until the Middle Ages.
The museum carries the Musée de France label and recounts the story of local human occupation. The extraordinary riches of the Soyons subterranean cave systems attest to human occupation since Prehistoric times.
Excavation workshops
During school holidays, Soyons archaeological site offers introductory excavation workshops (Gallo-Roman and Prehistoric).
With a trowel, brush and bucket in hand, children slip into the role of archaeologists and excavators and seek out clues to reconstruct past lives.
