Driving Inside the Earth: Grotte du Mas d'Azil Is the Only Road Through a Cave in France

Located in the Ariège department in southwestern France, the Grotte du Mas d'Azil is a 500-meter long tunnel dug by the Arize River in the Ariège Pyrenees. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.

Grotte du Mas d'Azil

How Long is the Grotte du Mas d'Azil?

Route Nationale 119 (or RN 119) passes through the central section of the Mas d'Azil Cave. The road runs right through the large cave, which is a natural tunnel 420 meters long and 50 meters high. This cave was long a refuge for both animals (rhinoceroses, bears, and mammoths) and humans (from the Magdalenians to the Huguenots).

Is the Road Through the Grotte du Mas d'Azil Paved?

The speed limit inside the cave is 30 km/h, and cars over 3 meters in height are forbidden. The paved road can be a nightmare for people suffering from claustrophobia. Although there is lighting at the edge of the road, cars are required to turn on their headlights when entering the grotte.

Where to Park When Visiting the Grotte du Mas d'Azil?

The Tour de France race passed along the cave. While it is possible to cross the cave by car, there is no option to park inside the cave. The parking lot is located in front of the cave portal, and there is a footpath leading into the cave along the road.

 

 

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