Our sustainable commitment

At the Aven d'Orgnac, Grand Site de France, we are proud of and responsible for this amazing natural site.
The site was discovered and revealed to the eyes of the world more than 80 years ago. We have our heart set on protecting it.

We sincerely and humbly think that we all have a role to play and that tourism can be rationalised and kind to the environment it uses.
That is why since 2021, sustainable tourism and environmental responsibility are our main objectives. Our aim is to be one of the most environmentally responsible sites in southern Ardeche.

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Dans la famille des Grands Sites de France : Le Pont du Gard

Grand Site de France label

The Grand Site de France label guarantees that the site is conserved and managed following sustainable development principles.

The Grands Sites de France are selected and listed landscapes, that are among the most beautiful, the most famous, the most emblematic of our country. There are currently 21 Grands Sites de France, such as the Pont du Gard bridge, the Puy Mary Cantal volcano, the Cirque de Navacelles.

All these sites are breath-taking places but most importantly, they are precious and fragile. They are protected and ranked as listed sites by the French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development.

The Grand Site de France label is a select and demanding label, granted for 6 years. The Aven d'Orgnac is the only cave that has been awarded a 'Grand Site de France' sustainability label.

  • The Aven d'Orgnac received the label in 2004 for the first time. The site among the pioneers of the Grand Site de France label, along with three other exceptional sites: the Pont du Gard, the Pointe du Raz and Concors-Sainte-Victoire.
  • Renewal was granted in 2010
  • And then again in 2016
More information about the Grand Site de France label

Some of our actions

Our strategy for 2021-2025 is to act according to these values ;  ranging from the choice of products we sell at the shop to our energy consumption, the way we sort waste to encouraging cyclists to come to our site. These small gestures are important in helping us to encouraging a more respectful type of tourism.

And every year, we set new goals to reduce our environmental impact.

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Every day commitment

Because they are well-known, the Grand Site de France sites are as very popular, so providing quality to visitors without damaging the natural sites is a priority.
That is why in the Aven d'Orgnac, we sequence the lighting during the visit in order to limit the growth of expansive moss which risks damaging the cave.

Likewise, only 2 hectares are accessible to visitors  of the subterranean network's total 20 hectares.
Solar panels are installed on the roof, allowing 40% self-sufficiency: the Cave is lit up by the sun!
Since 2016, the cave is equipped with LED lighting which helps reduce the appearance of moss as well as reducing energy consumption.