Stalactite cave and subterranean river
Overview
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Hint
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Intro
The River Orbe created a fascinating cave system at the Vaudois town of Vallorbe. The tour leads visitors along the subterranean course of the Orbe (an outflow from the Vallée de Joux), passing by stalactites, stalagmites, drip-stone formations, columns and galleries. Once upon a time fairies that charmed young men were supposed to have lived here.
Ten million years ago Switzerland was still an ocean. The ocean deposited enormous quantities of lime at Vallorbe. Over a long period of time, the river Orbe gradually dug itself a subterranean bed in the limestone. An intriguing cave world was thereby formed, which could only be reached by divers before it was opened up to tourists in the 1970s.
Today artificially created passages, stairs and galleries lead down to the dripstone caves, which the local inhabitants also call Fairy Caves. For once upon a time fairies were said to have lived here and bewitched young men. For this reason an exhibition of 250 minerals, which can be viewed in four artificial caves, has been called "The Fairies' Treasure Trove".
Opening times
Daily from April to October, weekends in March and November
General information
| Season |
March - November
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|---|---|
| Time required |
1-2 hours
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| Suitable for children with age |
0 to 5 years, 6 to 9 years, 10 to 13 years, 14+ years
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| Suitable for |
Children, Families, Groups, Individual, Women only, Couples
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| Weather |
Indoor
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| Category |
Education, Adventure, Nature
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Group & pricing information
| Language |
German, English, French
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|---|---|
| Group Size |
10 - 12
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Discover the surroundings
Contact
Grottes de Vallorbe SA
Chemin de la Résurgence 1
1337
Vallorbe
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)21 843 22 74
Fax +41 (0)22 843 22 62
info@grottesdevallorbe.ch
grottesdevallorbe.ch
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