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Bétharram Caves
Contact
Bétharram Caves
Chemin Léon Ross
65100
Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre
Phone : +33 5 62 41 80 04
Presentation
The Bétharram Caves extend over five levels, covering a distance of 2.8 km. You can explore them by mini-train, by boat on an underground lake, and on foot! A real adventure, a visit to the underground border between the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and the Hautes-Pyrénées.
Located 15 km from Lourdes and 30 km from Pau, the Bétharram Caves were first discovered in 1819, but it was not until 1900 that Léon Ross, an artist and adventurer, undertook their development to make them more accessible and easier to visit.
This resourceful man also had a power station built on the Gave de Pau to illuminate the entire cave complex.
Naturally, this hydroelectric power source, a true innovation, enabled the modernisation (i.e. electrification) of part of the region.
In 1903, the caves were finally opened to the public. They are accessed via a natural opening, which adds to the beauty of the visit. Since then, the caves’ popularity has remained undiminished.
A 2-kilometre underground tour
The tour lasts around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
First, you pass through a series of chambers with poetic names (for 45 minutes): the Bassin des Naïades, the Salle des Lustres, Jeanne d’Arc, the Colonne Géante, the Éléphant, the Cloître, the Chaos… Then comes the chasm: an 80-metre drop via a staircase of around 250 steps!
And there, an underground boat ride: a fascinating experience (and a little unnerving for some). Finally, the return journey by little train. Who would have thought we’d use so many different modes of transport underground? A real journey! It’s another delightful experience to emerge from the depths, to feel the gentle air and the sun on your face after this dark, cool and damp journey.
A shuttle bus takes you back to the entrance of the caves where you left your car, 2 km further up.
Prices:
Adults: €17
Concessions: €15
Children (aged 4–12): €12
Free for children under 3
Located 15 km from Lourdes and 30 km from Pau, the Bétharram Caves were first discovered in 1819, but it was not until 1900 that Léon Ross, an artist and adventurer, undertook their development to make them more accessible and easier to visit.
This resourceful man also had a power station built on the Gave de Pau to illuminate the entire cave complex.
Naturally, this hydroelectric power source, a true innovation, enabled the modernisation (i.e. electrification) of part of the region.
In 1903, the caves were finally opened to the public. They are accessed via a natural opening, which adds to the beauty of the visit. Since then, the caves’ popularity has remained undiminished.
A 2-kilometre underground tour
The tour lasts around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
First, you pass through a series of chambers with poetic names (for 45 minutes): the Bassin des Naïades, the Salle des Lustres, Jeanne d’Arc, the Colonne Géante, the Éléphant, the Cloître, the Chaos… Then comes the chasm: an 80-metre drop via a staircase of around 250 steps!
And there, an underground boat ride: a fascinating experience (and a little unnerving for some). Finally, the return journey by little train. Who would have thought we’d use so many different modes of transport underground? A real journey! It’s another delightful experience to emerge from the depths, to feel the gentle air and the sun on your face after this dark, cool and damp journey.
A shuttle bus takes you back to the entrance of the caves where you left your car, 2 km further up.
Prices:
Adults: €17
Concessions: €15
Children (aged 4–12): €12
Free for children under 3