A journey and unusual Station on the Causse Méjean

On the occasion of its centenary, Aven Armand opens a new chapter in its history with the inauguration, in early 2026, of the Aven Express, the third generation of its funicular.

The Aven Express combines the latest technology in operation with a traditional aesthetic:

new cabins with both interior and exterior atmospheres inspired by the period
a new electrical architecture and control electronics
new machinery and a new control room
a new “positive” braking system with multiple levels of safety and activation, including overspeed detection

The principle of the rubber-tyred funicular, still highly efficient and later adopted by other funicular systems, has been preserved.

But the Aven Express is not just a means of transport.

It is the first thrill of exploration.
The transition between the world of light and the world of the depths.
A passage suspended in time.

From the boarding area, a new lighting design transforms waiting into anticipation. Then the descent begins. The tunnel opens, imagination awakens. Like Louis Armand 130 years ago, the visitor moves toward the unknown… before discovering the vertiginous immensity of the forest of stalagmites, untouched, monumental, and unique in the world.

The Aven Express is not a descent.

It is a journey.
A passage into wonder.

The Spéléo Station: a welcome and information area upon your arrival

To prepare for your journey, next to the departure platform you will find:

the ticket office, open from 10:00 a.m.
the station hall, where you can wait for your departure time while discovering an exhibition about the places, people, and iconic objects from the early days of speleological exploration in the Grands Causses region
a video space presenting the story of the company through the sites of the ruiniform chaos of La Cité de Pierres and Aven Armand
a souvenir shop to extend your journey to the center of the Earth
the building’s post-modern architectural style, which preserves its distinctive character and makes it an “atypical station” in the heart of the Causse Méjean

Before or after your visit, stop by the Spéléo Café to enjoy a meal, have a drink with friends or family, or simply share a traditional Causses-style platter.

A Bit of History…

The Spéléo Station: An Atypical Station on the Causse Méjean

It all began in 1926, when the first work to excavate the access tunnel was undertaken. In June 1927, the chasm finally opened its doors to the public. Yet, thirty years earlier, in 1897, Louis Armand and Édouard-Alfred Martel had already discovered this unique underground treasure. At the time, only the boldest could access it: a 70-meter vertical descent on a rope ladder, in complete darkness.

In 1963, the installation of the first funicular revolutionized access to the site. To facilitate the descent—and especially the return journey—the tunnel was widened to accommodate the funicular, with a ride lasting just a minute and a half. It became one of the 19 funiculars still operating in France, with two unique features:

Unlike typical funiculars, which are designed to easily climb a hill or steep slope, the “little train” of the Aven Armand cave descends underground.
It is mounted on rubber tires (a first in Europe) to minimize vibrations and noise, preserving the integrity of the stalagmites and the quality of the visitor experience.

This investment was a success, leading to a significant increase in visitors, and it soon became necessary to expand the station’s capacity.

In 1972, a new welcome building was constructed to replace the very simple original facilities and to increase the funicular’s capacity: a monumental, modern, and bold architectural work by architect E. Pinetre, whose dimensions reflected the importance of the journey into the underground world. This aligned with the development goals and architectural standards of the time—a modern creation alongside a chasm millions of years old.

The building featured a large upper waiting hall for ticket sales, and a slightly lower hall for access to the platforms before departure. A bar with a souvenir shop was installed in a small separate building a few meters from the Spéléo Station. The inauguration took place on June 17, 1972, in the presence of the Secretary of State for Tourism, Mr. Anthonioz.

In 2022, fifty years later, the building was completely renovated. The use of the rooms was reimagined to simplify circulation and better match modern lifestyles: the ticket office was moved to the lower hall, together with the shop; the upper waiting hall became an exhibition hall. The building’s post-modern style retained all its strength, making it still “an atypical station” in the heart of the Causse Méjean.

Finally, in 2026, after decades of careful maintenance, it was time to integrate the latest technologies with the arrival of the Aven Express.