Grotte de Dinant La Merveilleuse — Attraction in Dinant

Exploring this cave system was like cave exploration 101 - I don’t think I ever visited a cave system that it is so tourist friendly.

The caves are easily walkable, the floor is tiled. Even if you’re not that adventurous they are easily accessible and you don’t need special shoes (although always recommended - specially if you want to go to the very dark and unlit section), and almost everything is light up so it is not that dark. Temperature is quite alright, it doesn’t drop that much inside.

There are a lot of stairs though and lots of steps in some of them.

The entrance fee is €10 euros, and you visit on your own. I found a lot of mixed information around, web page is broken or outdated, so this review should be the most updated information around.

I got a quick explanation with pictures of what I could expect while visiting. Inside there are no signs, just some numbers and an exit indicator. There’s no audio guide.

The whole visit didn’t take more than 40-50 minutes.

Although it was mentioned that bats could be seen, we didn’t see any. Even when I went up the very dark and unlit stairs, that section has no bars or I did not see them.

I’d recommend to follow the path, once you get to the big room or hall you can take the stairs up to the dark area or go down to the red lights tunnel which will take you back (it does loop) and you can then exit. I did that.

You can skip-avoid the dark area, not everybody went there, and you don’t have to pass through it to...

So, this was one of the largest caves I can remember visiting, and pretty impressive. The size of the stalagmites and stalactites wasn't too great and there weren't a lot of them to be honest. The walls and ceilings were the most impressive aspects.

There is a guy at the entrance who will give you a brief overview of the cave, without the use of a map but instead using a few small photos in his hand. Then you basically wander around however you please. There are two deviations from the main path that I saw. It is hard to say if these were meant to be explored but there was nothing stopping you besides darkness. There were even steps, both times.

You should probably were decent shoes for being in a wet cave though. I didn't have any issues but I can imagine slipping somewhere in the cave. Bring a pregnant wife and a three year old may not have been the best idea but it worked out fine, so maybe don't...

Incredible place that feels just like the 1959 'Journey to the center of the earth' movie.

Other reviews state concerns about it being too dark, i completely disagree. If anything i would prefer a bit few lights and of a more warm temperature. But is perfectly fine. You'll get awesome pictures as long as your phone/camera is good at low light photography. Mine were made with a Pixel 7.

Not a single bug down there or any other life, if you are concerned about that. Some steps can be slippery, just hold to the railings, all have them. A bit cold as you would expect from such a place, keep your jacket on.

If you are a bit lucky like i was, you can sit for a few minutes in the main chamber in complete silence with just the lovely sound of the water drops. Such a dreamy experience.

Staff speaks english and were super nice. I paid 4€ for a postcard...