Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The caves of the Balme, located in the Isère department near the Rhone, are a natural cavity typical of the Alpine regions, known as "balm". Occupied from prehistoric times, they contain remains of the Bronze Age, including graves and film offerings. Their imposing porch (35 m high) and two superimposed chapels, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist, make it a major religious and historical site.

The cave, classified as historical monuments, was explored in the 16th century, notably by Francis I after the Battle of Marignan. It contains an underground lake, galleries such as the Monk or Francis I, and a rich fauna (challows, owls). Transformed into a tourist site since 1807, it attracts visitors for its geological concretions and history, marked by speleological explorations until the 21st century.

A tragedy in 1919, where ten people died in an accident on the lake, marked its history. The caves, open to the public with guided tours, participate in European Heritage Days. Their increasing attendance (67,422 visitors in 2019) reflects their attractiveness. The site is also linked to figures such as the smuggler Louis Mandrin, although its presence remains uncertain.

The chapels, dated from the 9th and 14th centuries, illustrate the religious importance of the place. The high chapel, dedicated to the Virgin, and the bass, to Saint John the Baptist, are connected by a staircase and decorated by archatures. The site, managed by the municipality, combines natural, historical and spiritual heritage, with recent explorations revealing nearly 3,200 meters of underground network.

The cave is also a preserved ecosystem, home to 23 species of bats and birds like the swallows of rocks. His ranking among the "seven wonders of the Dauphiné" and his mention in speleological works (like those of Frédéric Poggia) underline his heritage and scientific importance.

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