Grottes d'Azé

The Grottes d'Azé are a pair of caves in the commune of Azé, in the Saône-et-Loire department, in the heart of Burgundy. Located near the hamlet of Rizerolles, close to the small town of Lugny, they have been open to visitors for decades and rank among the most important prehistoric sites of the Mâconnais region. The visitor route actually covers two distinct caves: a prehistoric cave known as the Balme de Rochebin, and a cave carved by an underground river, called the Balme de Rizerolles spring.

What makes the Grottes d'Azé stand out?

The prehistoric cave has earned the nickname "cave of a thousand bears," holding one of the largest visible accumulations of cave bear remains found anywhere in France. Alongside the bear bones, archaeologists uncovered remains of cave lions and other Pleistocene fauna. The bear and lion bones were studied by paleontologist Alain Argant, while the accompanying fauna was examined by Claude Guérin — together their work produced a fossil collection recognised internationally within cave paleontology.

How long did people live here?

Traces of human presence at Azé stretch back to the Palaeolithic and continue, in successive waves, through to the Middle Ages. Excavations have brought to light flint tools and animal bones from the Stone Age, Gallo-Roman remnants, and a medieval wall — evidence that the caves served as shelter across tens of thousands of years, interrupted by shifts in climate and water levels.

What is the story behind the underground river?

The second cave was shaped by an underground watercourse that has carved through the limestone bedrock for millennia, leaving behind galleries lined with striking formations — stalactites, stalagmites, and draperies. The section open to visitors runs roughly 420 metres, though cavers have surveyed the passage well beyond a kilometre, making it one of the most extensive underground water systems in the Mâconnais. The river still flows today, and its sound accompanies part of the walk.

What should visitors expect on a tour?

Both caves can only be visited with a guide, and the full tour takes about ninety minutes. Inside, the temperature holds steady at around 12°C year-round, so warm clothing is worth bringing even in summer. Paths and steps are fitted out for tourist traffic, but sturdy, non-slip footwear is recommended given the damp, uneven surfaces underground. The site operates seasonally, generally from spring through autumn, so checking the current opening schedule before a visit is advisable.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Azé sits in the wine country of the Mâconnais, surrounded by vine-covered hillsides, making it easy to pair a cave visit with a stop at local vineyards and Burgundian villages. The wider region is also known for its Romanesque monastic architecture, adding further reasons to turn the trip into a longer stay.

FAQ

Did cave bears really live in the Grottes d'Azé? Yes. Bone deposits show the cave was used for hibernation and shelter by cave bears over tens of thousands of years, and the accumulation found here ranks among the largest visible in France.

Can the caves be visited without a guide? No — for safety and site-protection reasons, visits are only conducted in guided groups.

How long is the tour and how cold is it inside? The full tour of both caves lasts around 90 minutes, and the internal temperature stays close to 12°C throughout the year.

Is the entire underground river open to visitors? No. The accessible stretch measures about 420 metres, while the rest of the passage, mapped by speleologists over a much greater distance, remains off the public route.

Where exactly are the caves located? Near the hamlet of Rizerolles in the commune of Azé, in the Saône-et-Loire department, close to Lugny, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.