The Médous caves
Some forty kilometers from your campsite, the Médous caves near Bagneres de Bigorre are considered to be one of the most remarkable in the region. In fact, Swiss speleologist F. HERZOG called them “the third largest in the world”.
Caves in the Hautes Pyrénées that can be visited by boat
Boat excursions
These are natural caves, hollowed out by an underground river made up of the resurgent waters of theAdour. There are no traces of human occupation, but they are exceptionally beautiful.
As early as 1789, the entrance to the cave was known, but was not explored due to clay blocking the access. It wasn’t until 1948 that speleologists began to investigate the origin of the water flowing out of the caves. The site was opened to the public in 1951, by boat.
A tree-lined start
The tour begins along a verdant park bordered by magnificent trees, with numerous streams escaping from a basin, a water reservoir spouting from cavities overhung by a boulder.
The Médous caves are divided into two sections: The lower “Galerie Sèche” and the upper “Galerie des Merveilles”.
A visit on the water
The first part of the route is about 1 km on foot, and takes in the grandiose scenery of numerous stalactites, stalagmites and eccentrics, columns, large calcite flows whose capricious shapes evoke draperies, waterfalls, great organs and extraordinary architecture.
The tour continues with a 250-meter boat trip on the underground Adour, an unforgettable moment of rare intensity.
A historic site
In addition to the interest of the caves, the site has a religious historical interest.
In fact, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared over the entrance to the grotto in the presence of a little shepherd and then in the presence of the widow Liloye. The end of the plague epidemic in the region naturally made the grotto a site dedicated to Marian worship and a popular place of pilgrimage.
A Capuchin convent was built, then demolished during the French Revolution, but a chapel was built in 2000 on the initiative of the Bishop of Tarbes, allowing pilgrims to pay their respects. Don’t miss out on this magnificent destination during your stay, book your accommodation or camping pitch now.
- 60 Route des Cols, 65200 Aste, France
- Tel: +33 (0)5 62 91 78 46
