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Grottes Saint Christophe
Explore more nearby places in Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes., France

 The Ladder Caves of France

Grottes Saint Christophe is an assemblage of two separated ravishing caves, dug by natural limestone erosion. Their creation and unusual internal structure happened due to the placement, movement, freezing, and melting of water during the ice age periods. 

The couple of grottes is rather generous in natural, cultural, and historical peculiarities, making it an incredible place to hit and explore through many different aspects. As you may already suggest, we are here to tell you all about them

Location and getting there

The Caves of Saint Christophe are located in the Saint-Christophe municipality, established on the western side of the Savoie department in France. They are positioned right in the heart of the scenic Chartreuse Valley, situated between Chambéry and Grenoble.

The site of the caves stands about 20 km from Chambéry. It is directly accessible by private or rented vehicles, and easily reachable by taking the local departmental road. The closest train station can be found more than 10 km away, while the nearest bus stop – Bande sous-Saint-Christophe – is also not directly meant to serve as a transport to the caves. 

Put shortly – using a car or a motorcycle remains the most suitable alternative for reaching the Caves of Saint Christophe unless you’re in for a rather lengthy walk.

The natural specifics of Grottes Saint Christophe

The Caves of Saint Christophe have been formed by natural occurrences for the last 7 million years. One of the site’s primary specifics is that it is divided into two separate sections – an upper and a lower cavern. That’s precisely why the caves are sometimes referred to as “The Ladder Caves.”

The upper cave is intersected by water and presents a geological phenomenon known as “giant’s kettle” or “giant’s cauldron” – a large and cylindrical pothole, pierced into the solid rock by natural erosion processes. 

The lower cave, on the other hand, has nowadays become a fossil with a footbridge walkway that enables visitors to discover the impressive verticality of the cave. This is seemingly the most magnificent view throughout the place, towering 5 to 25 m above the ground and bestowing a stunning panoramic glimpse over the Ladders’ valley.

There is a small (1 km lone) but a somewhat legendary natural road that separates the two caves called The Sardinian Way. It has been used as a passageway between the mountains for thousands of years, and it is freely accessible all year round.

The vibrant history of Grottes Saint Christophe

The Grottes of Saint Christophe keeps the remains of first human occupation as far back as the prehistoric ages. There are traces of ancient inhabitants to the site dating from the Upper Magdalenian and the Azilian times – they include different tools, bone particles, and rock blades just to begin with.

The Sardinian way was proven to be used during Roman times when also a solid Roman bridge was constructed to provide passage from one bank of the Guiers Vif to the other.

Nowadays, the site attracts visitors from all over the world, and yet it keeps its authentic vibe, virgin nature, and unparalleled rustic setting.

Planning your visit to Grottes Saint Christophe

At the entrance to the site, you will be welcomed to attend a small, but well-equipped reception area, established in a little residence. It includes a scenographic space presenting the history of the site’s human occupation, a well-loaded snack bar, and a pleasurable picnic area to enjoy yourself in.

When around Grottes Saint Christophe, you can also visit the monument of Duke Charles-Emmanuel II of Savoy, and the medieval Notre-Dame chapel freely accessible all year round.

3796 Route de Chambéry, 73360 Saint-Christophe, France

Where is it on the Map?

3796 Route de Chambéry, 73360 Saint-Christophe, France

Explore more places in Europe

Explore more nearby places in Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes., France
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 The Ladder Caves of France

Grottes Saint Christophe is an assemblage of two separated ravishing caves, dug by natural limestone erosion. Their creation and unusual internal structure happened due to the placement, movement, freezing, and melting of water during the ice age periods. 

The couple of grottes is rather generous in natural, cultural, and historical peculiarities, making it an incredible place to hit and explore through many different aspects. As you may already suggest, we are here to tell you all about them

Location and getting there

The Caves of Saint Christophe are located in the Saint-Christophe municipality, established on the western side of the Savoie department in France. They are positioned right in the heart of the scenic Chartreuse Valley, situated between Chambéry and Grenoble.

The site of the caves stands about 20 km from Chambéry. It is directly accessible by private or rented vehicles, and easily reachable by taking the local departmental road. The closest train station can be found more than 10 km away, while the nearest bus stop – Bande sous-Saint-Christophe – is also not directly meant to serve as a transport to the caves. 

Put shortly – using a car or a motorcycle remains the most suitable alternative for reaching the Caves of Saint Christophe unless you’re in for a rather lengthy walk.

The natural specifics of Grottes Saint Christophe

The Caves of Saint Christophe have been formed by natural occurrences for the last 7 million years. One of the site’s primary specifics is that it is divided into two separate sections – an upper and a lower cavern. That’s precisely why the caves are sometimes referred to as “The Ladder Caves.”

The upper cave is intersected by water and presents a geological phenomenon known as “giant’s kettle” or “giant’s cauldron” – a large and cylindrical pothole, pierced into the solid rock by natural erosion processes. 

The lower cave, on the other hand, has nowadays become a fossil with a footbridge walkway that enables visitors to discover the impressive verticality of the cave. This is seemingly the most magnificent view throughout the place, towering 5 to 25 m above the ground and bestowing a stunning panoramic glimpse over the Ladders’ valley.

There is a small (1 km lone) but a somewhat legendary natural road that separates the two caves called The Sardinian Way. It has been used as a passageway between the mountains for thousands of years, and it is freely accessible all year round.

The vibrant history of Grottes Saint Christophe

The Grottes of Saint Christophe keeps the remains of first human occupation as far back as the prehistoric ages. There are traces of ancient inhabitants to the site dating from the Upper Magdalenian and the Azilian times – they include different tools, bone particles, and rock blades just to begin with.

The Sardinian way was proven to be used during Roman times when also a solid Roman bridge was constructed to provide passage from one bank of the Guiers Vif to the other.

Nowadays, the site attracts visitors from all over the world, and yet it keeps its authentic vibe, virgin nature, and unparalleled rustic setting.

Planning your visit to Grottes Saint Christophe

At the entrance to the site, you will be welcomed to attend a small, but well-equipped reception area, established in a little residence. It includes a scenographic space presenting the history of the site’s human occupation, a well-loaded snack bar, and a pleasurable picnic area to enjoy yourself in.

When around Grottes Saint Christophe, you can also visit the monument of Duke Charles-Emmanuel II of Savoy, and the medieval Notre-Dame chapel freely accessible all year round.

3796 Route de Chambéry, 73360 Saint-Christophe, France

Where is it on the Map?

3796 Route de Chambéry, 73360 Saint-Christophe, France

Explore more places in Europe

See more in Can't retrieve term. In case if you changed taxonomy slug for this term, please update widget settings to use new taxonomy slug.
Explore more nearby places in Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes., France

 The Ladder Caves of France

Grottes Saint Christophe is an assemblage of two separated ravishing caves, dug by natural limestone erosion. Their creation and unusual internal structure happened due to the placement, movement, freezing, and melting of water during the ice age periods. 

The couple of grottes is rather generous in natural, cultural, and historical peculiarities, making it an incredible place to hit and explore through many different aspects. As you may already suggest, we are here to tell you all about them

Location and getting there

The Caves of Saint Christophe are located in the Saint-Christophe municipality, established on the western side of the Savoie department in France. They are positioned right in the heart of the scenic Chartreuse Valley, situated between Chambéry and Grenoble.

The site of the caves stands about 20 km from Chambéry. It is directly accessible by private or rented vehicles, and easily reachable by taking the local departmental road. The closest train station can be found more than 10 km away, while the nearest bus stop – Bande sous-Saint-Christophe – is also not directly meant to serve as a transport to the caves. 

Put shortly – using a car or a motorcycle remains the most suitable alternative for reaching the Caves of Saint Christophe unless you’re in for a rather lengthy walk.

The natural specifics of Grottes Saint Christophe

The Caves of Saint Christophe have been formed by natural occurrences for the last 7 million years. One of the site’s primary specifics is that it is divided into two separate sections – an upper and a lower cavern. That’s precisely why the caves are sometimes referred to as “The Ladder Caves.”

The upper cave is intersected by water and presents a geological phenomenon known as “giant’s kettle” or “giant’s cauldron” – a large and cylindrical pothole, pierced into the solid rock by natural erosion processes. 

The lower cave, on the other hand, has nowadays become a fossil with a footbridge walkway that enables visitors to discover the impressive verticality of the cave. This is seemingly the most magnificent view throughout the place, towering 5 to 25 m above the ground and bestowing a stunning panoramic glimpse over the Ladders’ valley.

There is a small (1 km lone) but a somewhat legendary natural road that separates the two caves called The Sardinian Way. It has been used as a passageway between the mountains for thousands of years, and it is freely accessible all year round.

The vibrant history of Grottes Saint Christophe

The Grottes of Saint Christophe keeps the remains of first human occupation as far back as the prehistoric ages. There are traces of ancient inhabitants to the site dating from the Upper Magdalenian and the Azilian times – they include different tools, bone particles, and rock blades just to begin with.

The Sardinian way was proven to be used during Roman times when also a solid Roman bridge was constructed to provide passage from one bank of the Guiers Vif to the other.

Nowadays, the site attracts visitors from all over the world, and yet it keeps its authentic vibe, virgin nature, and unparalleled rustic setting.

Planning your visit to Grottes Saint Christophe

At the entrance to the site, you will be welcomed to attend a small, but well-equipped reception area, established in a little residence. It includes a scenographic space presenting the history of the site’s human occupation, a well-loaded snack bar, and a pleasurable picnic area to enjoy yourself in.

When around Grottes Saint Christophe, you can also visit the monument of Duke Charles-Emmanuel II of Savoy, and the medieval Notre-Dame chapel freely accessible all year round.

3796 Route de Chambéry, 73360 Saint-Christophe, France

Where is it on the Map?

3796 Route de Chambéry, 73360 Saint-Christophe, France

Explore more places in Europe

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