Okay, okay, we invented vanilla ice cream cones and USB fans to combat heat waves, but no matter what we do, we’ll always be one step behind Mother Nature. Since the dawn of time, she’s managed to pull timeless places out of her hat that defy all the laws of meteorology. The proof is in this fabulous cave, which stays a cool 14 °C without batting an eye while the entire surrounding area is melting in the heat. Welcome to one of France’s largest “refrigerators” —still under warranty for two million years— the Cerdon Caves!
The Cerdon Caves, a natural gem of our region
Let’s step into the Cerdon Caves to discover another natural treasure just outside Lyon. As you enter the 25-hectare recreational park, nature already reasserts itself, offering a few degrees of relief and an endless playground for the whole family. With plenty of activities for kids, it’s a true little paradise.
The cave allows us to simply step into another dimension. Carved by water over millions of years, gigantic stalactites and stalagmites reveal themselves in a place that seems anything but real. It’s like being in a dream… the world takes on a whole new dimension, and underground, there are almost no points of reference. Unsettling, certainly, but absolutely amazing: it’s a real feast for the eyes!
Allow an hour for the tour, and add half an hour if you’d like to visit the lookout point, which offers a breathtaking view of the Cerdon Valley and its vineyards. You might think we’re a little crazy, but be sure to bring a warm jacket for the visit anyway!
The Ain: a breathtaking landscape
The great thing about these kinds of exceptional natural sites is that they’re rarely isolated… it’s hard to imagine the Cerdon Caves, the Solutré Rock, or the Charabotte Waterfall right next to an industrial park or a four-lane interchange. As for our beloved Cerdon Caves, it’s as if nature and history are reaching out to welcome you.
Less than 10 kilometers away as the crow flies, you can take a dip at Île Chambod, which offers everything you need for a fun day of swimming with family or friends. Alternatively, Lake Nantua—one of France’s largest glacial lakes—awaits you less than 30 minutes from the caves. It’s the perfect combination to keep your head cool all day long. If you’re more into historic sites than swimsuits, don’t miss Ambronay Abbey, which is quite simply one of the most beautiful in France.
