The Saulges cave valley comprises 22 caves and is considered an important prehistoric site for the study of the first settlements in western France. Archaeological evidence, a museum and church art give the destination a distinct cultural and historical focus; trails along the Erve and climbing routes add outdoor activities.

Caves and prehistoric traces

The Grotte de la Chèvre is freely accessible. At the Grotte Rochefort, an archaeological excavation area provides evidence of Solutrean people being present around 22,000 years ago. There is also an underground lake, reached by descending 15-metre-long ladders.

The Grotte Mayenne-Sciences contains Gravettian drawings made with charcoal, dated to around 27,000 years ago. It is closed to the public for nature conservation and accessibility reasons. The evidence differs considerably in age: Rochefort points to a Solutrean presence around 22,000 years ago, while Mayenne-Sciences has Gravettian drawings dating to around 27,000 years ago. The Grotte Margot is the only visitable prehistoric decorated cave in western France and north of the Loire. The Grotte René-Paul offers a guided introduction to caving lasting one to three hours. Check visitor information on access and arrangements before your trip.

Museum and church art

The Musée de Préhistoire displays archaeological objects, bones and artistic evidence from the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic. It opened in 2017. The museum is fully equipped for visitors with reduced mobility; check the latest access information before your visit. The collection’s time span provides a distinct focus alongside the evidence from different periods found in the caves.

The Church of Saint-Pierre preserves medieval frescoes depicting religious scenes, as well as figures made of wood, stone and terracotta from the 17th and 18th centuries. Notre-Dame is an 11th-century Romanesque church and preserves four altarpieces from different periods, including the Valtrot altarpiece from 1401. In Saulges, you can encounter both medieval church art and works from later centuries.

The Erve Valley, trails and climbing

The Erve Valley is part of the Natura 2000 network and was designated a special conservation area in 2012. Seventeen of the 18 bat species found in Mayenne have been recorded in the Saulges cave valley. The figures refer to different areas: the protected status applies to the Erve Valley, while the bat record concerns the cave valley in relation to the species found in Mayenne.

For a hike with a specified distance, the Circuit de l’Oratoire No. 33 offers clear details: this easy walk is 8.5 kilometres long, starts in Saulges and passes through Saulges into a limestone canyon. Check current trail conditions before setting out. A walk along the Erve offers a different experience: you can cross the river via picturesque stepping stones and continue to the village on a footpath.

The Saulges climbing area offers more than 160 routes on limestone cliffs ranging from 10 to 25 metres high. Check the latest information on access and equipment before climbing.

Discover more destinations: Izé, Erbrée, Pontmain, Hambers, Le Ham, Peuton, Loigné-Sur-Mayenne, Ruillé-Froid-Fonds

For the broader travel overview: Mayenne.