Exploration Tour:
Just like the day it was discovered
Imagine you’re an explorer… You do not need to be an expert caver – professional instructors will show you an effortless way to descend the 75 metres into the natural well. Join the first expedition alongside Louis Armand, Edouard-Alfred Martel and Armand Viré, the inventor of biospeleology.
View the video of the descent into the chasm via the natural well of the Aven Armand
“It’s huge! Superb! A real forest of stone. It’s splendid, Mr. Martel, there are at least 100 columns. The tallest must be about 25 metres. I’ve never seen anything like this!” Those were the words exclaimed by Louis Armand after his 75-metre descent into the unexplored darkness of the Aven Armand, named after him.
One of the most impressive chasm descents in France and the entire World.
The descent into the Aven Armand is open to everyone aged 12 years and up. You do not need to be an expert caver – professional instructors will show you an effortless way to descend the 75 metres into the natural well. You’ll find yourself looking down on a forest of 400 stalagmites. Alone in the Aven Armand, you won’t hear a sound other than the dripping of water…
Once you arrive in the cavity, you’ll explore this Treasure of Earth and Time by the light of your headlamps, and slowly emerge from the darkness to see the lit-up features, commented by your guide.
If you do not wish to make the historic descent via the natural well, you can reach the bottom of the chasm on foot, via the funicular railway tunnel, to join the would-be explorers for the rest of the tour, and relive the discovery of a Sunday in September 1897…
After exploring for around 2 hours, you’ll return to the surface on the funicular railway, emerging “as if in a dream”, just like Edouard-Alfred Martel. Your expedition continues at the Speleo Café where you’ll receive your explorer certificate.
www.explore-millau.com/en/according-to-my-wishes/our-adventures/aven-armand-exploration-tour/
Prices, Times, Duration of the Exploration Tour
Explore the Aven Armand by descending into the chasm via the same natural well as the first explorers. Relive the expedition as experienced by Louis Armand when he first discovered it.
Duration : 2hours
Prices :
- €85.00 (descent via the well)
- €45.00 for accompanying persons (descent on foot via the tunnel)
The price includes equipment loan for the well descent and the tour, the explorer certificate and a hot or cold drink at the Speleo Café afterwards.
Times :
It is compulsory to book ahead online
- From Saturday 5th of April to Sunday 2nd of November 2025
from the age of 12 years
for up to 16 people + accompanying persons