Craving some Caving ?
CAVING OUTINGS
IN THE VAR
Six feet underground, and sometimes more...
Our different outings
Caving - Route du Castellet
Grotte du Vieux Monoï
half-day (3h)
48€
Per person
Groups of 8 to 12 people
The best way to start caving! We're off to a cave 40 meters underground, for a helmeted hike! Accessible from age 5, but at 60 it's still possible...
Grotte de la castellete caving
Sainte Baume
half-day (3h)
90€
Per person
Groups of 8 to 12 people
The castelette cave is an adventure. Interested in underground lakes? If so, this is the day for you. Bear in mind, however, that this outing is preferable if you've already done some caving, as it's a bit physical with descents and abseiling.
Caving on request
half or full day (3-7h)
From €48
Groups of 8 to 10 people
caving opportunities in the var and elsewhere
- Les Rampins
- Neoules paddle
- Plérimond cave
- Mushroom cave
- St Eucher cave
- L'avende l'olivier
- The great Draïoun
- The Pendulum cave
- Le Maranoye
Philemon route
Full day (7h)
caving canyon mix
From €90
Groups of 8 to 10 people
Philémon's route takes in the heights of La Ciotat. It's a mix between dry canyoning and caving, as we enter the 14 juillet cave via a sequence of via corda, abseiling and climbing.
What is caving?
Caving in the Var is very present in the Karsts of Provence, the Calanques, the Sainte Baume, the Sainte Victoire, the Verdon... all of which are real caves.
ExpéNATURE offers you a sensational immersion in the underground world! Spend a half-day or a full day discovering the wonders of these caves with your family or friends.
This supervised activity lets you explore all the mysteries of these little-known sites all over Provence. You'll be able to combine physical exercise with the discovery of these places from a unique vantage point!
Caving is largely a contemplative activity, but access to the beauty of these sites must be earned.
Guided tour schedule
every week
- Here's our weekly schedule (especially in summer)
- As a reminder, we operate with a minimum group size of 5. If there are fewer of you, it's possible to join established groups.
- We may be able to offer you a new departure date or a new departure location, depending on current demand!
- For all other activities and different formats (caving days, for example), we operate on an à la carte basis and according to the demands of the moment.
Visiting the calanques in a sustainable way
Why Expenature?
photos
We want to show you that renting a kayak is a real experience! So we'll take care to accompany you from booking to the end of the activity. At the same time, we'll take photos of you, free of charge and available on our website.
explanations from experienced guides
Everyone on site is a qualified kayak instructor. So, you'll get the best paddling tips and techniques before you set off. We'll also share the best routes for visiting the Calanques, depending on the day's weather conditions.
Safety
We ensure your safety at all times. We have a rescue boat to act quickly in case of the unexpected. Life jacket, route map with you, explanations before departure, equipment in good condition. Telephone number on the paddles. Everything is done to make your ride go perfectly.
FAQ
DID YOU KNOW?
Is caving a science?
Caving has been practiced since the dawn of man. There's nothing modern about exploring caves and caverns, but the objectives have diversified and multiplied.
Caving in the Var is well known for its sporting leisure activities, but this discipline is above all scientific. scientific. Indeed, caving is the science that studies caves and underground cavities. Numerous vestiges and forms of life are present in these rocky chasms shaped by nature and time.
Speleologists are explorers with a scientific objective. They study fauna, flora, water, prehistoric archaeology, geological aspects... Numerous fields of study come together in caves and caverns and can represent an important source of information for the scientific field.
From scientific research to leisure activities, there are many different types of explorer involved in this activity! Today, caving is above all a way of becoming aware of the power of time and nature.
How do we breathe underground?
Do we breathe the same air underground as we do outdoors ?
But how is this possible?
As the temperature underground is virtually constant all year round, the circulation of air between inside and outside takes place as a result of variations in outside temperatures, which are particularly significant between summer and winter and/or day and night!Warm air is lighter than cold air, so in winter, for example, warm air blows out of the cavities, and vice versa in summer.
In Provence, most cavities and networks are said to be fossilized. This means that there is no longer an active river continuing to shape and dig the cavity. These networks don't fear flooding, and you'll be able to move about in complete safety even in the rain - on the contrary, it's the idealfallback activity!
What's more, as the underground temperature is almost constant at 14-17°C, depending on the cave, it's great to be warm in winter, andeven better to find this natural air-conditioning in midsummer.
Caving is a year-round, all-weather activity, so what are you waiting for?