This is a lucky abseiler’s view of the 50m Grand Rappel at Grotte Salamandre, France | #PauseRêve
It is not uncommon to feel the need to summon up a rap of reality in this parcel of southern France. Castles in the sky, natural water cascades and the hunt for the heady truffle - revered locally as the “Le Diamant Noir” or black diamond, make for a trippy journey into the real unreal. Even the infamous Labyrinth Trilogy by Kate Mosse is constructed on historical evidence from the area.
Occitanie is your own imaginarium, not only on terra firma, but you are invited to take a dip deep below for a year-round underground adventure.
The Grotte de la Salamandre is currently closed to let the bats hibernate, but their deep snooze will end in time for the re-opening on 15th of March.
The newly discovered and developed cave experience offers four possible ways to enjoy your visit:
The wheelchair-accessible lookout point
The fascinating guided tour
The Grand Rappel (50m abseiling)
Caving in the hidden galleries
The Salamandre Cave is a must-do experience, even for those with restricted mobility.
Other things to do nearby
Not far from the high, wild country of the Grands Causses and Cévennes - with a fascinating mix of hills, caves, gorges, forests are medieval towns bursting with layers of understated glamour and Provençal markets.
Add to the mix The Mediterranean, and the legacy of the Roman Empire, this is a diverse territory, and an ideal destination for culture-vultures, foodies & nature lovers, or a base for sporting activities.
SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS
Architecture & History
Carré d’Art, Nîmes
Guided walks in Uzès
Popes Palace, Avignon
Pont du Gard & Museum
Carcassonne
Art, Design & Crafts
Van Gogh & Frank Gehry/LUMA Foundation, Arles
Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie - A lively village home to many craftspeople and potters
Scale model of Gehry’s LUMA Tower, Arles
PHOTO ©2019 Gaby Martin/La Flânerie.
Performing Arts
Avignon Festival
Nîmes Arena
Music festivals in Uzès and around throughout the year
Uzès Dance Festival
Gardens & Parks
Bambouseraie, Anduze
Grotte de la Salamandre
Museums
Maison Rouge - Museum of The Cévennes
Musée du Désert - History of the Camisards & Huenots in Cévennes
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
Upcoming Events
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Accommodation:
Historic Stone Sanctuary 15km from the fashionable market town of Uzès in the Languedoc region of Southern France.
Recently renovated self-contained apartment on the ground floor of a traditional 17th c. Provençal village house.
• PERFECT FOR COUPLES
• A RETREAT FOR CREATIVE SOLOS
• STYLISH BOLT-HOLE
• FOODIE DESINATION
• SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES
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World-class climbing sites include the Gorge du Tarn and Seynes,being only 12 km away from La Flânerie.