Grotte de Thouzon

Cave of Thouzon - Cave of the Fairies

Useful Information

Location:	North of Le Thor on D16. Departement Vaucluse, Provence.
Open:	MAR Sun 14-18, tours at 14:15, 15:20, 16:20, 17:30. APR to JUN daily 10-12, 14-18, tours at 10:30, 11:30, 14:15, 15:20, 16:20, 17:30. JUL to AUG daily 10-18:30, last tour 30 min before closing. SEP to OCT daily 10-12, 14-18, tours at 10:30,11:30, 14:15, 15:20, 16:20, 17:30. [2009]
Fee:	Adults EUR 7.90, Children (5-11) EUR 5.40, Children (0-4) free, Students EUR , Family (2+2) EUR . Groups (20+): Adults EUR 5.50, Children (5-11) EUR 5, High School EUR 5, Primary School EUR 3.70. [2010]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	LED
Dimension:	T=13 °C.
Guided tours:	D=45 min, L=180 m.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotte de Thouzon, 142 Impasse des Sablières, 84250 Le Thor, Tel: +33-490-339365, Fax: +33-490-337490. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

23-JAN-1902	discovered during quarry works.
SEP-1902	opened to the public.
1981	new owners, cave renovated.
2024	new LED light system installed.

Description

Les Grottes de Thouzon (Cave of Thouzon) is the only show cave in the department of Vaucluse. It was named after its location, the hill north of Le Thor, where it is located, is called Thouzon. This cave is famous for its overwhelming richness in speleothems. There are soda straws, helictites, gours, cave pearls, and draperies. Some soda straws reach a length of two metres, while having a diameter of only three milimetres.

The cave was discovered during quarry works in 1902 and was developed as a show cave in the same year. As a result it was never open and accessible, and subject to destruction. In other words, the speleothems are exceptionally well preserved. The cave is often dubbed the Golden Cave, named after the unique yellowish color of its speleothems.

The latest renovation was a new LED-based cave light installed by Cave Lighting in 2024. They also installed a custom-designed light and music show by Cave Lighting scenographer Jan Ptacin.