LE SOUTERROSCOPE DES ARDOISIERES

Lieu-dit Les Ardoisières

14240 CAUMONT L'EVENTE

France

09 74 56 76 97

Tourist attraction in Normandy – France

The schedules:

> from August 31 to November 1, 2020: from 11 am to 5 pm (last visit) - without interruption at lunchtime

CLOSED ON MONDAYS - EXCEPT DURING THE ALL SAINTS' DAY HOLIDAYS

> from 2 November to 29 November: from 11 am to 4 pm (last visit) - without interruption at lunchtime.

 

Open on all public holidays.

Automatic departures every 12 minutes (per group of 20 people max.)

Temperature underground:

12°C

Warm clothing and closed shoes are recommended ...

Especially in case of high outside temperature !!!

Prices 2020 :

Adult : 10,50 €.

Child ( from 4 to 12 years old ) : 5,50 €.

- 4 years: free

Prices group 2020 : (20 pers.)

Adult : 9,00 €.

Child ( from 4 to 12 years old ) : 5,00 €.

It's moving through the Souterroscope !!!

Our shop is also open to local ...

Need a gift that is different from the ordinary ? don't hesitate to visit us (minerals, jewels, local products ...)

  • Room rental (wedding, birthday, ...)
  • family meal,
  • Seminar,

Our catering service is at your disposal. QUOTATION ON REQUEST

Privatization of the Site: QUOTATION ON REQUEST (according to season).

Discover our 19th century mining operations through an audiovisual animation!

HISTORY

The Souterroscope is an old slate mine which has not been exploited for over 128 years (closed in 1891). Extraction started quite illegally at the foot of the church of Caumont l'Eventé. The Ardoisières de Caumont were the only ones in Normandy to reach a real industrial dimension. The causes of its closure are diverse and varied.

At first, they were victims of the economic crisis of the time and were not sufficiently established to overcome the fall of the building industry ( 1882-1883). Secondly, they were unable to compete with Angevine and the lack of railway lines inevitably caused its loss, since they did not have an effective and reliable means of transport that would enable them to transport their goods safely around.

Discovering the slate mining operation

 

Tourist attraction Normandy France Brittany

Discover the underground mines

A SECOND CHANCE

Today, the Ardoisières has got a second chance with a reconversion. Indeed, since May 1, 1994, they are opened for visits. From now on, a unique and unusual sightseeing tour is proposed... From the creation of the world to the discovery of this quarry preserved in its 19th century state, the visitor becomes a miner discovering underground rooms as large as cathedrals... Four rooms are open for visit:

  • In the first room, visitors can discover the water table through a video describing the water cycle.
  • The second room, "le gouffre de l'Arc en Terre", is the symbol of the pact established between man and mine: a wonderful play of light and water has been set up there.
  • The third room proposes a short video on the extraction of the "Caumont blue gold" slate.
  • In the fourth and last room, an extraordinary collection of giant crystals and semi-precious stones are naturally displayed for visits.

The visit is 1 hour long. It can either be in French or English. 
A guided tour leaves every 12 minutes.

See the wonders of the underworld

 

Tourist attraction Normandy France Brittany

Why visit Souterroscope des Ardoisières

The setting

Large underground spaces, remnants of the slate exploitation, illuminated water jets...

Activities

Learning about the water cycle, geological time scale, mineral exhibition, film screening describing the geode...

Room rental

We have rooms that can accommodate 50 or 100 people, where you can organise group meals and various events.

Location

35 km from Caen, access by A84, or D9; 25 km from Bayeux, access D6; 30 km from Saint-Lô, access by D11; 90 km from Mont Saint-Michel.

Contact us to learn more about our rates

If you are visiting Normandy, Brittany, or France, do not hesitate to visit our site and discover our slate quarry which has been kept in its 19th century state.

Quote / Contact


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