I’ve tested caving in the Bauges for you

At the gates
to the subterranean infinite
of Prérouge

Just around the corner from Arith, in the Bauges Massif in Savoie, lies the Grotte de Prérouge. As soon as you’ve parked your car, the adventure begins: just a minute’s approach and you’ll be faced with a mineral entrance that seems to invite you to take a journey out of time.

All you need to do is prepare yourself in comfortable, protective clothing (cosy fleece, warm socks, sturdy shoes, clothes that won’t get muddy). Most of the equipment is provided by your expert guide: helmet, headlamp, harness and wetsuit will be your allies as you explore the depths.

Because here, discovery is gradual: the entrance is open to the curious, but intimate exploration of the bowels of the mountain requires the presence of passionate cavers. And rightly so: the Grotte de Prérouge is one of the most extensive underground networks in the whole of Savoie, with almost 55 kilometres of known galleries. It’s a grandiose experience, where every step you take resonates with the raw magic of the rock and the mystery of the depths.

Journey
journey
to the heart of the Earth

Once equipped, we set off to discover this secret world. Now we had to let go and trust our guides. We had one guide at the front of the group and another at the back.

Right from the start of the route, we were immersed in the atmosphere: we had to crawl through a narrow passage! You have to crawl through a narrow passage, crawling along at times, sliding along holding on to ropes. It’s quite physical, and you need to be in good shape to make headway in this underground environment.

You enter a mysterious, unknown world and discover rooms that are all different, with their own geological features. I remember the room with the pots, the sculptures created by the erosion of the water.

Caving
on your own

At Aillons-Margériaz 1400, the Tanne du Névés cave can be explored on a 1? hour round trip,
between footbridges, ladders and educational panels to understand
the geological formation of the Bauges.

Caving, Tanne du Névé

Going underground is like crossing an invisible frontier. You leave behind the noise, the light, the time… to enter a secret world where every step is a source of wonder.

Laure-Anne

When
silence
becomes an experience

Progress is made step by step, with always the possibility of an escape route for those who want to get out before going too far. On our route, the children chose to stop halfway along, while we continued the adventure.

A little further on, there was a refreshing surprise: a passage through the water, which was both icy cold and invigorating, and sometimes waist-deep in water. An ideal experience in the middle of summer, as the temperature here never rises above 8°C.

Little by little, the outside world disappears. Underground, there is no light, no network, no reference points in time. It’s like being transported to another universe. At one point, our guides suggest we switch off our lights… The silence is total, the darkness absolute. It was a suspended, almost unreal interlude that felt like a moment of pure magic.

I have to admit that I was impressed by the part where you had to free dive under a rock. But in the end, it was easy, as the instructor had told us.

Daring the unknown,
savouring the adventure

What did I learn from this caving trip? That when you dare to break through your own barriers, you open yourself up to an unsuspected universe. Going underground means entering a world apart, mysterious and fascinating, that deserves to be explored. Surpassing yourself to discover this unusual environment is an adventure that is both physical and inner, memorable and unforgettable.

And the pleasure doesn’t stop there: once you’re back in daylight, just walk along the Chéran river to prolong the magic and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings. It’s enough to make this underground escapade an unforgettable day out.

At Chambéry Montagnes, potholing, climbing and accrobranche (tree climbing) activities invite exploration enthusiasts from the age of 2 upwards to enjoy fun, sporting experiences and a change of scenery.