Grotte de Baume-les-Messieurs

The Grotte de Baume-les-Messieurs lies in one of the most dramatic places in the Jura, a reculée, or blind valley, where a stream is hemmed in by limestone cliffs several hundred metres high and ends abruptly at a wall of rock. The village of Baume-les-Messieurs sits at the foot of these cliffs, and the cave is a short distance away, formed by the river that vanishes into the rock and re-emerges lower down. The setting is part of the appeal, since the cliffs, the waterfalls and the green valley floor make a scene of great beauty even before you enter the cave.

The cave is an active river cave, which means that water is still shaping it. A guided tour follows a path of more than two kilometres through large chambers and galleries, with lighting that picks out the formations and gives a sense of scale. Visitors see stalactites and stalagmites, smooth rock surfaces and pools, as well as the underground course of the stream. One highlight is the spring of the Dard, a powerful source that gushes from the rock, especially in spring when the snow melts and rain fills the karst system. Another is the great chamber known as the Catafalque Gallery, a vast hall with a roof high above the path, where the guide explains how limestone caves are formed. The temperature remains cool and constant throughout the year, so a jacket is useful even in summer. The tour lasts about an hour, and the path includes steps and uneven ground, so it is not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.

The village has a remarkable history. Its abbey, the Abbaye de Baume-les-Messieurs, was one of the most important monasteries of the region, founded early in the Middle Ages. In the tenth century a monk of Baume, Bernon, left to establish a new house at Cluny, which became the most influential abbey in Europe, so the small valley is linked to a major chapter of medieval history. Today the abbey buildings and the old stone houses around the cloister make the village one of the most charming in the Jura, and it is listed among the most beautiful villages in France.

Walks around the village include trails to viewpoints on the cliffs and to a waterfall of tufa, a porous limestone deposit, in the valley, and the long-distance path network links the village with the Vallée de l'Ain and the plateau above. The Parc de la Source and the village streets are pleasant places for a stroll. The wines of the Jura, such as vin jaune, and cheeses such as Comté, are easy to sample nearby.

The cave suits families, geology fans and walkers. Check opening hours, prices and booking rules in advance.