CAVES OF ISTURITZ AND OXOCELHAYA

The Grottes d'Isturitz and Oxocelhaya site is listed as a Monument Historique and is an active member of several national and international networks: ISCA, Routes Culturelles Européennes CARP, ANECAT, Sites et Musées en Pays Basque. The two caves, which lie one on top of the other, are accessible in a single visit, that of the Gaztelu hill. A geological masterpiece, a cathedral of rock, a journey to the heart of the earth: how can we find the words to describe such beauty? A descent into the bowels of the earth, an unparalleled spectacle, an enchantment of concretions, marvels of nature. A private site, the family saga managed by Joëlle Darricau has a bright future ahead of it....

Two great periods of humanity, the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, in the heart of a mineral palace protected underground... The ^20th century had just begun, when, while mining the guano in place, the workers realized that there were bones that did not correspond to the fauna of the surrounding area. They alerted André Darricau, the owner of the site, who called in a well-known prehistorian, Emmanuel Passemard, who confirmed that the bones were those of a mammoth, a wolf, a bear... It was at this time that other caves in France were being discovered. André Darricau had the mining stopped and launched more in-depth archaeological research. This was the start of a dizzying adventure for archaeologists, who took a very close interest. It soon became clear that this was a major prehistoric site in southern Europe, with evidence of 80,000 years of human presence. Excavations and research involving the most eminent archaeologists: Passemard, Saint-Perrier, Laplace, Barandiaran have yielded 45,000 pieces: lithic material, objects of Art mobilier (the Isturitz collections are preserved, exhibited and studied by doctoral students at the Musée des Antiquités Nationales de Saint-Germain-en-Laye: MAN).

Today, after a century of excavations , an extraordinary heritage remains in place. Research continues into the Neanderthal-Homo Sapiens transition, cave art, the occupation of the cave by large animals, and the conservation of the artistic and natural heritage. Today, archaeologists are still exploring the cave. Every year, major events and activities take place, and in 2025, the main theme is: "Prehistoric finery". In recent years, the origin of jewelry has been recognized as one of the fundamental events in the evolution of mankind. By virtue of its richness, originality and secure context, the Aurignacian jewelry from the Isturitz cave is beginning to take a prominent place in debates concerning the origin of modern man and the transition from the Middle Paleolithic to the Upper Paleolithic. On a more modest scale, but no less important, Isturitz finery is beginning to provide us with precious details of chronological, geographical and even spatial variability within the Aurignacian period in Aquitaine. These men had a highly developed sense of aesthetics. They adorned their clothes with pearls and shells, wore pendants and had a great knowledge of semi-precious materials: lignite, steatite, talc, ivory and amber. Numerous pendants, shells, ivory and bone beads, pierced teeth of horses, foxes, hyenas, wolves and deer spits enrich the Isturitz collections, which have become an international reference... Explore the Isturitz and Oxocelhaya caves in a different way!

You can also attend and sign up for exciting themed tours. Places are limited, so bookings are essential on the Grottes website.

Resonances" sound tour: an artistic creation by Pierre Estève, evoking the sounds of prehistory and geology. Let yourself be carried away by the emotion of sound! "Resonances" is a sensory installation that lets visitors create their own mental images. A journey back in time and to the center of the Earth, the aim is to present the caves from a different angle, and let you experience them in a sensory way. Every Sunday at 5 or 6 p.m., depending on the season, by prior arrangement on the Grottes website.

Program to create an "Arts and Sciences" cultural space, with the Association Isturitz et Oxocelhaya, patrimoines, cultures et préhistoire.

For young visitors (6-10 years), enjoy the "Cro-Mignons" tour in July/August on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 4:40 pm; other school vacations: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4:30 pm, by reservation. Conditions on the website.

Art and Prehistory in the Caves" guided tour by a prehistorian. Groups of 14 people maximum (15 years and over). Dates and conditions on the website.

New: enjoy a "premium" private tour. Tailor-made private guided tour on request: minimum 2 people, maximum 10 people. Further information by e-mail ([email protected]).

Discover theinaccessible Oxocelhayagallerieswith a prehistoric guide. Virtual projection with commentary. Tailor-made tours for groups on request.