GROTTES DE SARE

Discover one of the many caves forming part of the immense limestone massif in and around Sare.

An emblematic site of the Basque Country and the Xareta valley, open all year round, the Grottes de Sare offer a fun and educational guided tour, where, to the rhythm of the txalaparta, you can admire the extraordinary work of water over millions of years. Take a look at one of the largest porches in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and wander through its sculpted galleries, past unique geological formations, meanders, tubulures and gours, not forgetting the site of a prehistoric dwelling where Man lived temporarily over 20,000 years ago. An original approach to the "first home of Sare" where History, Nature and Culture intermingle. Let yourself be surprised by the strength of the bond between man and his natural environment since the dawn of time. The tour will take you on a journey of discovery of a people, from their roots to the present, evoking the mythology deeply rooted in these underground caverns.

The Grottes de Sare are also a protected area: the commune of Sare has formed a partnership with the CEN Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels) and the GCA (Groupe Chiroptères Aquitaine), in order to better understand and conserve the natural heritage of the Grottes de Sare and the surrounding area. The Grottes de Sare are part of Natura 2000, an area protected for its flora and fauna, some of which are endemic. The site is also listed as a habitat of international interest for the many species of bats that live there, and scientific monitoring is carried out throughout the year. A protected gallery, which cannot be visited, is dedicated to their protection.

Before or after your visit to the caves, you can choose between two self-guided tours: the Megalithic Park built by Doctor Blot, a full-scale reconstruction of the various monuments erected by man during the protohistoric period (2,800 BC), and the museum, which focuses on man's occupation of the caves from prehistory to the present day. An area is also devoted to bats and another to Basque mythology.

A relaxation area with picnic tables, bar and panoramic restaurant (open in summer) lets you enjoy the peace and quiet of the site. In the immediate vicinity of the site, hiking trails wind through the magnificent Xareta valley, extending your escapade into the heart of Basque nature.