The Margot cave is located among the 22 caves of the Erve valley, in Mayenne.
This is the only prehistoric decorated cave open to visitors in western France and north of the Loire! Listed as a Historic Monument since 1926, it contains engravings of prehistoric animals (bison, horses, woolly rhinoceroses, etc.), which you can discover during a guided tour.
Ready to discover all its secrets?
The parietal art of the Margot cave
In 2003, Romain Pigeaud and his team of archaeologists discovered prehistoric engravings dating from the Upper Paleolithic, which testify to human occupation of the region around 25 years ago.
History and Discovery
The Margot cave was explored as early as the 19th century:
It is one of the first caves to be opened to visitors in France.
(since 1861). Classified as a Historic Monument since 1926, it is
319 m with a difference in altitude of 14 m.
⟶ The visit does not present any particular difficulty,
except for a few narrow passages that require crouching.
A legendary cave... It takes its name from a popular belief documented since the 18th century: a certain fairy called Margot holds her empire at the bottom of this cave and distributes money to those who come to ask her for it, in exchange for the payment of a lamb, a hen or other edible animal, provided that it is black. The tradition, very much alive until the beginning of the 20th century, brought greedy pilgrims from far and wide!
Preparing my visit: frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions in one click!
Is it mandatory to book online to visit?
Yes, reservation is required on our online ticketing (limited gauges in each cave). Subject to availability, tickets may be sold on-site for same-day or alternate-day visits. Reservations cannot be made by phone.
Should I print the tickets?
You do not need to print your tickets. Simply download them as PDFs to your mobile phone (or open the attachment in your email) and present them upon arrival at the museum reception or to the guide at the entrance to the cave.
How long does the visit last?
The guided tour of the Margot Cave lasts approximately class.
From what age can you visit the Margot Cave?
Margot Cave is accessible Ages 3 and up, for accessibility and security reasons.
How many people are allowed per visit?
The Margot cave is limited to 15 people maximum per visit to preserve the natural space and the engravings inside.
Is the cave accessible to people with reduced mobility/claustrophobia?
No: the cavity being a natural space with little development, We do not recommend visiting the Margot Cave for people with reduced mobility. (low ceiling passages), to claustrophobic people (some passages are narrow) and to pregnant womenThe cave is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Do I need to bring any special clothing for the visit?
Yes, to visit the caves plan:
- some closed shoes that don't mind getting dirty (sneakers, hiking or boots), caves being naturally humid and clayey spaces (there are sometimes puddles of water when the weather is very rainy, especially in winter)
- un warm clothing (13°C all year round inside the caves), the spaces are very humid
Are animals/cameras allowed inside the cave?
The following are prohibited inside the cave: animals, baby carriers, strollers, all types of bags, walking sticks, cameras, and video cameras. Lockers are available at the Prehistory Museum reception (token or €1 coin).
What is the time on my ticket?
The time on your ticket indicates the departure time of the guided tour of the cave. You must arrive at the cave no later than 10 minutes before the visiting time.
Is it possible to exchange a ticket?
Tickets are exchangeable directly on the online ticketing. You can change the time or date, for the same visit. You cannot exchange the visit (for example, it is not possible to change the visit to the Margot cave for the visit to the Rochefort cave.) The exchange is possible only once.
