Grotte de Clamouse

What Grotte de Clamouse does

Grotte de Clamouse is a privately-held French tourist cave attraction operated as a SARL (société G. Vila) in Saint-Jean-de-Fos, Occitanie. Discovered in 1945 by the Spéléo-Club de Montpellier and opened to the public in 1964, the company manages a ~6km subterranean network — of which approximately 900m is developed into a guided visitor circuit featuring rare aragonite and eccentric crystal formations — and draws over 100,000 visitors annually. The site's technical infrastructure includes the first fully LED-lit tourist cave in the world (installed 2010, reducing energy consumption by a factor of 45), continuous atmospheric monitoring with CNRS/LSCE, and an immersive ultra HD introductory theater. The company sells a portfolio of unit-priced experiences including guided cave tours (€15.50 adult), the in-cave Spéléopark rope course (€49–€59), Escape Game (€45), caving experiences (€49–€89), themed events, and packaged wine-tourism offerings via a partnership with Domaine Alexandrin.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model through its proprietary e-commerce ticketing platform (clamouse.com) and on-site box office, with no third-party resellers. Revenue streams span ticketed activities, on-site retail and F&B (boutique, Bar du Terroir, picnic terrace), corporate/private hire of seminar and event spaces for groups up to 100, and educational programs for school groups. Marketing relies on the company website, organic social media, TripAdvisor/Google ratings, earned media (France 3, M6, Arte), the Grand Site de France tourism network, and seasonal event programming. The site holds regulatory designations including 'site scientifique et pittoresque' classification, Grand Site de France inclusion, and the upgraded 'Divertissement Durable Expérimenté' sustainability label, and maintains scientific partnerships with CNRS, Domaine Alexandrin (wine tourism), Let's GOrges Collective (outdoor activities), Lycée Emile Peytavin (Erasmus+), and Furong Cave in China.

Name

Grotte de Clamouse

Legal name

SARL Grotte de Clamouse société G. Vila

Website

https://clamouse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grotte de Clamouse is a privately-owned French tourist cave attraction in Saint-Jean-de-Fos, Occitanie, operating since 1964 and welcoming over 100,000 visitors annually. It sells unit-priced guided tours, in-cave adventure activities (Spéléopark, Escape Game, caving), corporate events, and educational programs via its proprietary e-commerce platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tourist Cave Attractions and Adventure Tourism

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Caving & Speleology Tour Operators (THAAADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Canyoning, Caving & Technical Exploration (THAJABAG), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF), Multi-Activity & Expedition Packages (Guided Adventure Trips) (THAJABAL)

Keywords

• Cave tourism experiences
• Guided cave tours
• Adventure caving activities
• Wine tourism packages
• Geological heritage tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-Jean-de-Fos

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Guided Cave Tour Tickets: Core revenue stream from timed-entry guided tours of the cave. Tickets sold online at preferential rates or at standard on-site rates. Tour includes film introduction, sound-and-light spectacle, and guided exploration of the 900m circuit.
2. Adventure Activity Tickets: Revenue from Spéléopark (rope courses inside cave, two difficulty levels), Escape Game (serious game crypt exploration), Caving Discovery, Caving Immersion, the Little Train, Murder Mystery Party, and Enchanted Christmas Tour. Each activity has distinct pricing per person.
3. On-Site Retail and F&B: Revenue from the on-site boutique (minerals, books, jewelry, souvenirs) and the Bar du Terroir / snack bar offering food, beverages, and local products on a panoramic terrace. Picnic area also available.
4. Corporate Events and Private Hire: Revenue from renting seminar/coworking rooms, panoramic terrace, and projection rooms to corporate clients for events, team buildings, incentive trips, and private functions. Includes bespoke activity packages for corporate groups.
5. Little Train Package (Day/Half-Day): Revenue from packaged experiences combining mini train rides through vineyards, cave visits, and wine tasting at Domaine Alexandrin, sold as full-day, half-day, or round-trip formats.
6. Group and School Educational Packages: Revenue from pre-booked school groups (half-day and full-day educational visits) and adult group tours, with specific per-student and per-adult pricing tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Grotte de Clamouse operates a tourist cave attraction offering guided tours of a 900-meter underground circuit featuring rare aragonite and eccentric crystals, complemented by on-site adventure activities (Spéléopark rope courses, Escape Game, caving exploration and immersion), themed seasonal events (Murder Mystery Party, Enchanted Christmas Tour), educational programs for schools, and corporate event hosting for groups up to 100 people. The site also includes on-site amenities such as a panoramic terrace, terroir bar, boutique, picnic area, and 360° virtual tour for accessibility.

Product overview

Grotte de Clamouse is a tourist cave attraction offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on underground exploration and adventure experiences. The core product is the guided cave tour through 900 meters of spectacular subterranean landscapes with crystal formations. The portfolio extends through adventure add-ons including the Spéléopark (ropes course within the cave), Escape Game, caving experiences (Exploration and Immersion levels), and themed events (Murder Mystery, Christmas tours, concerts). Supporting services include the Mini Train vineyard-to-cave experience with wine tasting, educational programs for schools, and corporate event hosting. The company also operates on-site amenities (terrace, bar, shop) and accessibility features including 360-degree virtual tours.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Guided Cave Tour Guided tour of the Clamouse Cave lasting approximately 1h30 through 900 meters of the 6km underground network, featuring an HD introduction film, crystal formations, and an audiovisual light show. Targeted at general public visitors, families, and tourists.
• Spéléopark (Acrobatic Cave Adventure Course) Adventure course with ropes, zip lines, and obstacle course inside the historic galleries of the cave, practiced with headlamps. Two levels: Spéléopark 1 (Emotion, 2 hours, €49 adult / €38 child 8-11) and Spéléopark 2 (The Big Thrill, 3 hours on 470m, €59 from age 12). Targeted at adventure-seekers and families with older children.
• Escape Game (Underground Crypt) Underground escape room experience lasting 80 minutes where teams solve riddles across four mysterious crypts to discover cave secrets. Available for 4-10 people. Adult €45, child under 12 €35. Private booking for 5+ people at €449. Targeted at groups, families, and team-building participants.
• Caving Discovery (Découverte Spéléo - Réseau Martin) Family-friendly caving adventure in the Martin network with helmets and overalls. 2-hour activity for ages 8+, exploring secret galleries discovered by an intrepid explorer. Adult (from 12 years) €49; child 8-11 years €38. Targeted at families and novice cavers.
• Caving Immersion (L'Immersion Spéléo) Advanced 1-kilometer underground hike in pristine areas of the upper chambers following Michel Siffre's expedition routes. 3h30 adventure with rope crossings, climbs, and 30m-high zip lines for ages 10+. Adult from 16 years €89; child 10-15 years €69. Targeted at adventure enthusiasts.
• Clamouse Mini Train (Wine Tourism Package) Miniature train journey through vineyards from Saint-Jean-de-Fos to the cave, combined with guided cave tour and wine tasting at Domaine Alexandrin. Available as full day (€23.50 adult / €16.90 child), half day, or round-trip (€15.50 adult / €10.90 child) packages. Targeted at wine tourism enthusiasts and regional visitors.
• Murder Mystery Party (Themed Event) Immersive murder investigation adventure departing by mini train, with participants playing character roles to solve the mystery. Duration 1h30. Adult €25; reduced rate €19. Includes Little Train ride and cave investigation. Targeted at adult visitors and special occasion groups.
• Enchanted Christmas Tour Magical Christmas journey aboard the Little Christmas Train followed by a storytelling cave tour with local legends and seasonal wonders. Adult €15.50; child aged 4-12 €9.90. Available on limited December dates. Targeted at families and holiday visitors.
• Educational Programs (School Visits) School programs for primary and secondary students including half-day pedagogical cave visits (€9 per student) and full-day programs with partner workshops (price varies by activity). Targeted at school groups and educational institutions.
• Corporate Events and Private Hire Professional event services including team building, seminars, conferences, and corporate animations for up to 100 guests. Includes customisable activities, seminar room with WiFi and projector, panoramic terrace, and projection room. Targeted at corporate clients and event planners.
• On-Site Services (Bar, Terrace, Shop) On-site amenities including a panoramic terrace, terroir bar with local products and wines, cave-themed shop with minerals, books, jewelry, and souvenirs, picnic area, and botanical trail. Targeted at visitors seeking refreshments, souvenirs, and additional leisure options.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy consumption reduced by factor of 45 with LED installation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Let's GOrges CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with the Let's GOrges collective for combined outdoor activities (canoeing, climbing, water hiking) coupled with the Clamouse Cave and Spéléopark. Enables tailor-made day packages mixing nature, culture, and sports activities under the 'Pass' formula.
• Philippe CrochetcoreOthers · 1 January 2024Renowned photographer Philippe Crochet creates artistic photo documentation of the cave's crystal formations (aragonite, eccentrics, giant organ pipes). His work was exhibited during the 60th anniversary 'Terres d'Images' event and features in Clamouse's photo galleries and publications.
• Le SonambuleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Musical artist collective partnering with Clamouse for musical guided tours and deambulations during the 'Terres de Musiques' 60th anniversary event. Artists with varied musical universes perform in the cave environment.
• Demain la Terre!minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020Educational association providing environmental education workshops for school groups at Clamouse. Active in the Centre Hérault region, focused on sustainable development education and natural/cultural heritage valorization.
• Lycée Emile Peytavin (Mende)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner in the Erasmus+ 'Live on the Karst' European project, bringing together Italian, Slovenian, and French educational, scientific, and speleological structures to involve young students in the study of European karst systems.
• Wolf MovementminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Pedagogical partner providing progressive natural movement education (climbing, jumping, balance) for children and youth groups as part of school activity programs.
• Domaine AlexandrincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partner winery for the Little Train experience. Provides vineyard walks and organic wine and grape juice tasting at the estate's caveau as part of combined cave and terroir day packages. The winemaker drives the mini train.
• CNRS - Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2013Ongoing scientific collaboration with CNRS through researcher Dominique Genty. Projects include: calcite trap monitoring for modern crystal growth analysis, atmospheric condition monitoring system installation, paleoclimate dating of concretions (376,000 years). CNRS involvement enhances scientific credibility and generates unique research data.
• Station d'Écologie Expérimentale du CNRS de Moulis (Ariège)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Source of the three Proteus (Proteus anguineus) salamanders displayed during guided cave tours. The CNRS experimental station provides captive-bred specimens for educational display.
• Grotte de Furong (China)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2012International partnership signed on 27 June 2012 with Furong Cave in China for knowledge sharing on subterranean environment protection. A platform for reflection and exchange on cave conservation was initiated between the two sites.
• David BEAUDminorOthersWebsite designer for clamouse.com. Located in Juvignac, France.
• Alexis LAFONTminorOthersWebsite developer for clamouse.com. Located in Piton Saint Leu, Réunion.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Pont du Diable)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerClamouse is geographically and promotionally linked to UNESCO World Heritage sites Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (UNESCO pilgrimage route) and the Pont du Diable (UNESCO World Heritage bridge), strengthening its premium tourism positioning within the Grand Site de France.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• ANECAT (Réseau Grottes de France): French national federation of show caves, of which Clamouse is a member (logo visible on its website). Relevant as an industry association that aggregates comparable show caves and sets shared standards, marketing, and ticketing references for the category.

Regional players

• Vulcania: European theme park dedicated to volcanism and earth sciences located in Auvergne (France). Comparable as a regional French science-themed visitor attraction that competes for family and educational group visits in the same broad 'geological heritage' category, though operating as a much larger amusement-format destination.

Direct peers

• Gouffre de Padirac: France's most famous show cave located in the Lot department; offers guided underground river tours and self-guided visits. Directly comparable as a premium French show cave with similar ticketing model, although at materially larger scale (500,000+ visitors annually).
• Aven d'Orgnac - Cité de la Préhistoire: Grand Site de France show cave in Ardèche offering guided tours, adventure activities, and prehistoric interpretation centre. Highly comparable on dimensions of adventure add-on activities, Grand Site de France status, and educational programming.
• Gouffre de Proumeyssac: Show cave in the Dordogne (Périgord) known as the 'Cathedral of Crystal', offering guided tours and a recently added 3D immersive experience. Directly comparable as a premium French show cave competing for inbound cultural-tourism visitors.
• Furong Cave (China): Major Chinese show cave partnered with Clamouse since 2012 for knowledge-sharing on subterranean environment protection. Directly comparable as a high-traffic international show cave with significant stalactite/stalagmite formations and similar LED-environmental-protection initiatives.
• Grottes de Saint-Cézaire: Show cave on the French Riviera (Alpes-Maritimes) offering guided tours and adventure activities. Comparable as a regional French show cave combining standard tours with adventure/trekking activities in a similar pricing band.
• Grottes de Choranche: French show cave in the Vercors (Isère) offering guided tours of limestone galleries with stalactites and sound-and-light shows. Closely comparable as a regionally operated show cave with similar ticket pricing and visitor duration.
• Postojna Cave Park: Slovenia's flagship show cave featuring a cave railway, cave-dwelling proteus (olm) display, and adventure add-ons. Comparable as a major European show cave combining core guided tours with train-based transport, themed events, and a separate adventure product — Clamouse's Little Train and Proteus display mirror this model.
• Grotte de la Cocalière: Show cave in the Gard department (Occitanie) with guided tours and adventure activities including caving initiation. Closely comparable as a regional competitor in the same broad Languedoc/Occitanie catchment as Clamouse.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grotte-de-clamouse

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grotte de Clamouse