All the caves in Ardennes
THE Nichet CAVE
Just 400 metres from the Belgian border, the Nichet cave is the only cave in North-East France that's open to the public. So it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. A one-hour visit will take you 30 metres below the surface through a maze of about a dozen galleries, some of which are quite narrow. This little gem of the underground world is the famous cave where many bones have been found, both animal (cave bear, mammoth and reindeer) and human (Homo sapiens and Merovingian).
Descend as far as 30 metres underground
The tour is suitable for children, but bear in mind that there are 114 steps to climb to return to the surface. The site features a picnic area, snack bar and play area. It is ideally located for some beautiful forest walks and to reach the Pin Noir observatory, which offers splendid views from the top of its 12 metres over the town of Givet.
More information
Rue de Nichet, F-08600 Fromelennes
Tel.: +33 (0)3 24 42 00 14
fromelennes@wanadoo.fr
www.ardennes.com
FURFOOZ NATURE PARK
Don't be fooled by the limestone grassland of the Lesse valley. This is definitely the gateway to the Ardennes, and not Provence. Furfooz nature park, just a few kilometres from Dinant, owes its beauty as much to the unique views over the valley as to the remains of its 3rd-century Roman baths, not forgetting the vertiginous caves above the River Lesse. Today, the legends share the site with an abundance of wildlife. If you do decide to visit, you certainly won't be disappointed.
Unique viewpoints over the valley
A 4 km walk takes you exploring the park's 12 iconic features and ends at the Flobette cabin by the Lesse, where you can enjoy some local, organic food. The route is dotted with cavities and caves that each tell a different story. At the Chantoir des Nutons cavity, the River Lesse disappears underground, forming a lake reaching depths of 40 metres at the Puits des Vaux. When the weather's very cold, it lets off a sparse white vapour through the Trou qui Fume cavity. It's worth seeing if you're visiting the region, but difficult to reach with a pushchair or a wheelchair.
More information
Rue du Camp Romain 79 B-5500 Furfooz
Tel.: +32 82 22 34 77
info@parcdefurfooz.be
www.parcdefurfooz.be
Remouchamps CAVES
A stone's throw from the Monde Sauvage safari park in Aywaille and half an hour from Liège, the Remouchamps caves are best known for featuring the longest underground walk in Belgium. This will certainly appeal to both children and adults. This top tourist attraction is best visited off-season or during rainy weather, as long queues are frequent. The highlight of the tour is probably the impressive cathedral-like cave reaching 40 metres in height. Believe it or not, this huge gallery could house a 12-storey building!
A gallery as high as an 11-storey building!
More information
Rue de Louveigné 3 B-4920 Aywaille
Tel.: +32 4 360 90 70
info@lesgrottes.be
www.lesgrottes.be
THE Abîme CAVE
If you're bringing the children, then the Abîme (abyss) is the cave to visit. The tour will transform the little ones into scientific explorers of the underground world. There's an archaeology camp at the entrance to keep them happy while waiting for the next tour to start. The fun and interactive guided tours are unilingual, an ideal solution for families as it maintains young children's concentration more easily. The Abîme cave is an underground cavity of scientific interest as it's teeming with bats. Visit preferably in winter if you hope to see them, as they tend to stay outside during the warmer months.
Real exploration for children and adults
More information
Rue des Grottes 46 B-4170 Comblain-au-Pont
Tel.: +32 4 369 26 44
info@découvertes.be
www.grottedecomblain.be
THE Hotton CAVE
The Hotton cave is Belgium's only cave to be entirely classified. Since the year 2000, the visitors' itinerary has tripled in length. The underground walk lasts approximately one hour, at temperatures ranging between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius. The galleries are on three levels and you'll descend to a depth of 65 metres via a 200-metre gallery, before returning to the surface, covering 30 metres of depth on foot and the last 35 metres via a lift.
Galleries on three levels
Visitors rarely leave the Hotton caves disappointed. The tour is entertaining and informative and the natural site is breathtaking, making it the ideal family outing. Do not miss this tour, which cools you down when it's hot outside, or shelters you when it's raining. The Calestienne gardens outside are also worth a visit.
More information
Chemin du Spéléo Club 1, B-6990 Hotton
Tel.: +32 84 46 60 46
info@grottesdehotton.be
www.grottesdehotton.be
Schieferstollen MINE
The old bluestone mine of Recht is now entirely devoted to tourism. The guided tour (you can book a guide in advance, or use an audio-guide) takes you through 800 metres of galleries to discover the history of the mine. An interesting tour just fifteen minutes or so from Saint-Vith in the eastern cantons. Why not visit on a rainy day?
800 metres of galleries
More information
Zum Schieferstollen 31 B-4780 Recht
Tel.: +32 80 57 00 67
info@schieferstollen-recht.be
www.schieferstollen-recht.be
THE Neptune CAVES
The Neptune caves are a key feature of the Couvin region in the province of Namur. For over thirty years, underground boats have been taking families through the rock animated by the play of light at the water's surface. The guided tour is in several parts, with explanations on the cave's interior and exterior formation, and an informative walk in the underground galleries before taking to the water. This will appeal to both adults and chidren. Beware of dry summers when the water can dry up and make the tour less interesting. However, there are many outdoor walks to be enjoyed in the surrounding countryside, including the Mont des Sens discovery trail featuring 9 activity stations.
Beautiful play of light
More information
Rue de l'Adujoir 24 B-5660 Couvin
Tel.: +32 60 31 19 54
info@grottesdeneptune.be
www.grottesdeneptune.be
THE Merveilleuse CAVE
Located about a fifteen-minute walk from Dinant centre and the Meuse valley, the Merveilleuse cave lives up to its name. The cave entrance might seem a little on the kitsch side, but you'll succumb to the beauty of this site which has been classified among the most beautiful caves in Europe. It's easy to see why, in these galleries and cavities of rare dimensions that offer a breathtaking show of sound and light.
One of the most beautiful caves in Europe
The tour is informative and the guide tells some entertaining anecdotes. As is often the case, the number of steps to climb makes the tour difficult for many members of the public. Dogs are allowed on this tour, which is rare enough to be worth mentioning. This is a must-see for visitors to the Dinant area.
More information
Route de Philippeville 142 B-5500 Dinant
Tel.: +32 82 22 22 10
grottededinant@gmail.com
www.exploremeuse.be
la Lorette CAVE
If you thought all caves looked the same, then the Lorette cave at Rochefort will make you change your mind. This is a smaller version of the famous Han Cave and you'll be amazed by its depth and dizzying drop. Indeed, the Lorette cave reaches depths in excess of 60 metres, making it one of a kind.
the cave is inhabited by hundreds of bats
Put your composure to the test in pitch darkness. Not the easiest of tours if you're claustrophic, but this is your chance to try a really different experience. The guided tours are conducted in very small groups, which adds to the intimacy. But you'll never feel alone, as the cave is still inhabited by hundreds of bats, just a few centimetres above your head. What's more, the Lorette cave is still a scientific research site. The explanations are detailed but never boring and help you to fully understand the geological aspects. But beware, you'll need good shoes to walk up and down the 600 steps... and quite a bit of energy!
More information
Drève de Lorette B-5580 Rochefort
Tel.: +32 84 21 20 -80
grottedelorette@skynet.be
www.grotte-de-lorette.be
