An underground river, a boat tour, a waterfall, a few bats: welcome to Labouiche! Here, if the guides take you by boat or rather, by boat, it is only to tell you the fascinating history of Ariège Venice with its captivating geological particularities, in Baulou, at the gates of Foix and the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Natural Park. For lovers of walks and the great outdoors, if you take the greenway, Labouiche is on your route!
In the south of France, in Occitanie and more precisely in Ariège, there is a hole. Oh ! It’s not just any hole…*
It is in reality the natural entrance to an enchanting world, galleries with captivating geological features. If the entrance recalls the beginning of certain legends of the Pyrenees, your walk will be fresher and more down to earth. Whatever…
Visit of the underground river of Labouiche
Two entrances. A natural one which takes you down a small hiking path, another called “artificial” which will remind you of your visit to the Château de Foix since it is a spiral staircase with nearly 200 steps. But beware ! Everything that has gone down must come back up! If you go down the “natural” way, you will have to go back up the “artificial” way and vice versa.
The longest navigable underground river in Europe
Fortunately for you, although there are passages that are done on foot, most of the visit to this natural cavity is done by boat, in the company of your guide. Once on board, you set off to discover concretions with evocative names such as: the unicorn, the witch or the Champs-Élysées...
Your visit to the Ariège lands lasts approximately one hour. When your crew is called, you are invited to head to one of the two entrances where you will meet your guide who will take you by boat. Literally... In this underground, the only auditory sources during your walk, apart from the fresh water waterfall, are the quiet and soothing voices of your guides, insatiable wells of knowledge telling you about the speleological expeditions which today allow us to take you navigate this cool place with such gentle waters.
But what is the difference between a cave and an underground river?
France is full of numerous caves, the best known being the Lascaux cave. For our greatest happiness, Ariège is also fortunate to be home to many of these sites such as the caves of Niaux, Bedeilhac, earthworms, Mas d'Azil...
A cave is a natural cavity in a rock formation that may be formed by water erosion or other geological processes. Caves are often accessible from the outside and may contain stalactites, stalagmites and others limestone concretions interesting.
An underground river, on the other hand, is a river that flows underground, often in rock cavities or conduits. Underground rivers can be fed by natural springs or by infiltration of surface water.
Unlike caves, underground rivers are generally not accessible from the outside and often require spelunking exploration to discover.
The underground river of Labouiche as for it, represents one of the most unique characteristics of our region. Here you are dealing with the longest navigable underground river in Europe. 1,5 kilometers navigable, all 60 meters underground.
| Rates | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|
| Adult |
16,50 € | Not disclosed |
| Kids |
13,90 € | 18,50 € |
| Family package |
56 € | 65,20 € |
| Student fee |
13,90 € | Not disclosed |
| Disabled |
9,50 € | Not disclosed |
Contact information
Info & Reservation
F.A.Q.
How long does the visit last?
To visit the Labouiche Underground River, allow a good hour.
Are animals allowed during the visit?
For security reasons, animals are not allowed during visits, even on a leash or in a bag.
How do I prepare for this underground adventure?
The temperature inside the cave is constant all year round: 13°C. It is therefore strongly recommended to take a sweater and good shoes to best understand the 200 steps to climb (or descend).
For visitors with heart problems, joint problems, or claustrophobia, the visit is strongly discouraged.
Is the visit accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Unfortunately, the underground world does not make a visit to the underground river accessible to people with reduced mobility. However, a model can be found at reception to understand the route taken by the boats.
Is it possible to eat on site?
You will find picnic tables on the site if you have planned your lunch. Also find the snack bar open from June 15 to August 31.
