Major city · France
Orgnac l'Aven
Half a day for the cave and museum; skip if you have no car or dislike guided cave tours. One night if you want to hike or taste local wine.
Orgnac l'Aven is a small Ardèche village (pop. ~380) that swells tenfold in summer. The single big draw is the Aven d'Orgnac cave and its attached prehistory museum. With a car you can see the cave in a morning and be in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc by lunch. The village itself has a few restaurants and a wine shop; most visitors use it as a quiet base for the Ardèche gorges.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot)
- Airports
- AVN · MRS · LYS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Orgnac l'Aven17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Orgnac l'Aven, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 European emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAVN Avignon-Provence (About 1 h 15 min by car).
- Getting aroundCar essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Sit-down mealDinner main course€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)
- Budget bedSelf-catering apartment (up to 4), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedGîte or chambre d'hôte double, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedGîte or chambre d'hôte double, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AVN Avignon-Provence (About 1 h 15 min by car) · MRS Marseille Provence (About 1 h 45 min by car) · LYS Lyon-Saint Exupéry (About 2 h by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Apr (8 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Orgnac l'Aven: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car essential. The cave and museum have a large free car park. No public transport within the village.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 10 min
Car, about 10 min
Canoe the Ardèche gorges, see the Pont d'Arc natural bridge.
Door to door: 15 min
Car, about 15 min
Medieval village with a castle ruin and a small museum.
Buis-les-Baronnies
goDoor to door: 45 min
Car, about 45 min
Market town at the foot of the Baronnies mountains; Wednesday market.
Die
goDoor to door: 1 h
Car, about 1 h
Clairette de Die sparkling wine, Romanesque church, hiking.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Orgnac village centre
A handful of gîtes and chambres d'hôtes; walk to the cave entrance.
Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
10 min drive; more hotels, restaurants and canoe rental.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Gîte or chambre d'hôte double1 × 1 night × €100 | €100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Aven d'Orgnac cave + museum ticket (adult)2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Canoe rental Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (half day)2 × €25 · check | €50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €209 per person per day, bed included | €418≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Glass of local wine | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Menu du jour (lunch set) | €14–20 (≈ US$17–25) |
| Dinner main course | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Bottle of Ardèche wine (shop) | €6–12 (≈ US$7–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cave temperature is about 12°C (54°F): bring a jacket even in summer.Cave temperature is about 54°F (12°C): bring a jacket even in summer.
- Cave visits are guided only; check the schedule on the official site.
- The village is very quiet outside July–August; some restaurants may be closed midweek in shoulder months.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Orgnac l'AvenOrgnac l'Aven
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- European emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aven d'Orgnac adult ticket: €14.90 (≈ US$18) (check)
- Canoe rental half-day: about €25 (≈ US$30) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kohm-byen)
- Où est la grotte ? — Where is the cave? (oo ay la grot)
- Je voudrais une table pour deux — I would like a table for two (zhuh voo-dray oon tah-bl poor duh)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon, seel voo play)
English is not widely spoken in the village; basic French phrases help.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Orgnac l'Aven. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded, hot) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Aven d'Orgnac and the museum with verified opening hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for the village restaurants with seasonal opening dates.
- Sleep pages for La Maréchale and other gîtes.
- Transport page for the Ardèche region: car rental, bus to Vallon.
Sources
Ask about Orgnac l'Aven
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