Chauvet Cave 2: visiting the painted cave replica, tickets and opening times

Chauvet Cave 2 is the replica of the Chauvet Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site closed to the public to protect it. Opened in 2015 as the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc, it presents itself as the largest reconstruction of a painted cave in the world, with drawings dated to 36,000 years ago, in a 15-hectare wooded park 8 minutes from Vallon. The adult ticket costs €18, free under 10. Allow about 3.5 hours on site, including a one-hour guided tour of the cave. Booking online is strongly recommended.

Practical information

Source: official Chauvet Cave 2 website, checked on 9 November 2026. Last admission two hours before closing during the holidays.

What you visit

The ticket gives access to the whole site for the day: the guided tour of the replica (about an hour), the Aurignacian Gallery (at least 45 minutes, self-guided), the exhibition “Grotte Chauvet, l’aventure scientifique” (about 45 minutes) and activities during holidays and weekends. You can leave and come back during the day with your ticket.

Booking

Booking online is strongly recommended: there is a ticket office on site, subject to availability, until 15 minutes before the last tour. No phone bookings. Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. Arrive at reception at least 30 minutes before your tour time. Paper holiday vouchers (chèques vacances) are accepted at reception only.

Good to know

• Accessibility: the whole site, cave included, is accessible by wheelchair and pushchair; wheelchairs lent free of charge.
• Picnic: dedicated area on the terrace above the restaurant, open all year without booking.
• Campervans: no overnight stays in the car park; there are spaces opposite the Vallon tourist office, 6 km away.
• Combined ticket: €1 off at the Aven d’Orgnac, the Pont du Gard and the crocodile farm, within 7 days.

The story of the replica

Inaugurated on 10 April 2015 and opened to the public on 25 April 2015 as the Caverne du Pont-d’Arc, the replica took its current name in 2019. It was built on the Razal site in Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, overseen by a scientific committee chaired by Jean Clottes.