Lezea

the prehistoric cave of Sare

As the number of visitors is limited, booking is essential.

In the bowels of Atxuria

The clay layer at the summit of the Atxuria Mountain, in which the cave has formed, limits rainfall infiltration, which gives the many cavities it shelters an original geological formation.

One of them, called LEZEA or CAVES OF SARE, can nowadays be visited almost as it was over 2 million years ago !

You will discover an unusual geological formation, huge rooms with astonishing dimensions, an entrance porch among the biggest of Aquitaine and of course the habitation site and daily activities.

Atxuria, the mountain above Lezea, the cave of Sare
Guided visit to the caves of Sare - Lezea

A visit accessible to everyone

The guided tour lasts 45 minutes along a secured laid out path accessible to most people and fully equipped for sound and light show. You will be guided by lights and sound along this scripted tour, and a guide will always be at your side to give you further information.

The ultimate technologies, in particular LED lights, are used in the cave to optimally guide visitors and preserve the environment of the underground and its natural "occupiers"...

The topics addressed during the tour :

The unusual geological formation ;
Prehistoric habitation ;
An approach to Basque mythology ;
An approach to the origins of the Basque people according to JM de Barandiaran.
Reserve online
Please note, the shooting (photo/video) is not allowed in the cave. Alternatively, you can download a free selection of photos of the interior of the Lezea cave and of visit route.

Guided tour of the cave

1 : Entrance porch (and exit)
2 : Prehistoric habitat site
3 : Concretion
4 : Tubulure
5 : Fossils
6 : Gours
7 : Lake - Introduction to Basque culture
8 : Txalaparta - ancestral musical instrument
Illustration of the tour of the caves of Sare

The entrance and exit of the visit is done by the same porch.

At the bottom of the cave, strange encounters...

The Caves of Sare did not only shelter humans, but also...cave bears which hibernated in the cavity over 10.000 years ago!

Now more than ever, bats are the mammals that have settled in the cavity. Thanks to a collaboration with the Conservatoire Régional des Espaces Naturels (regional association for natural areas), the Groupe Chiroptère Aquitaine (chiroptera group of Aquitaine) and the Espaces Naturels Aquitaine association (natural areas Aquitaine), the site of the Caves of Sare is now listed as a habitat of international interest due to the numerous species that live there.

Natura 2000 classified site

Today the Grottes de Sare are part of the European Natura 2000 network. The aim of this network is to maintain the biological diversity of the environment via a sustainable development approach.

The Grottes de Sare are located within the Larrun - Xoldokogaina massif, which includes various forests, moors, wetlands, caves and cliffs plus rich and varied flora and fauna with some endemic species. Stag Beetles, White Claw Crayfish, Quimper Snail, Rosalia longicorn, Hairy Soldanelle, Drosera, and many others are all to be protected around the Grottes de Sare, without forgetting the different species of bats that are regularly monitored in the caves.

This designation allows us to better know and conserve our natural heritage.


Salamander

Pictures of the Caves of Sare

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, we let you appreciate the beauty of the caves of Sare, sculpted by water for millennia!

Big meander
Visit of the Caves of Sare
In the depths of the caves of Sare
Entrance porch to the caves of Sare
Site of the caves of Sare
View under the porch of the caves

Want to find out more ?

You will find here all the information you need to organize your visit to the caves of Sare.

Don't forget to book your tickets online before visiting us !

Book online

TIMETABLES AND PRICES

Open 11 months out of 12, the caves of Sare can be visited whatever the weather !

Timetable and prices

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can't find answers to your questions ?

Consult our F.A.Q.

IN PRACTICE

How to book, to come, what to do at the caves... All the useful information for your visit !

Useful information
la Rhune