Sarako Lezeak

Publish on Facebook Share   Print Print   Send to a friend Send   Newsletter Newsletter

Lezea cave

The huge limestone massif of Sare and its surrounding area has numerous cavities. One of them, called LEZEA or CAVES OF SARE, can nowadays be visited as it was over 2 million years ago.
The clay layer at the summit of the Atxuria Mountain, in which the cave has formed, limits rainfall infiltration. You will discover an unusual geological formation… huge rooms with astonishing dimensions, an entrance porch among the biggest of Aquitaine and of course the habitation site and daily activities...

Guided sound and light tour

Itinerary of the visit in the Caves of Sare

The guided tour lasts 45 minutes along a secured laid out path accessible to most people and fully equipped for sound and light show. You will be guided by lights and sound along this scripted tour, and a guide will always be at your side to give you further information.

The ultimate technologies, in particular LED lights, are used in the cave to optimally guide visitors and preserve the environment of the underground and its natural "occupiers"...

The topics addressed during the tour :

Entrance porch to the Caves of Sare
  • The unusual geological formation;
  • Prehistoric habitation;
  • An approach to Basque mythology;
  • An approach to the origins of the Basque people according to JM de Barandiaran.

At the bottom of the cave, strange encounters...

Bat

The Caves of Sare did not only shelter humans, but also... cave bears which hibernated in the cavity over 10.000 years ago!

Now more than ever, bats are the mammals that have settled in the cavity. Thanks to a collaboration with the Conservatoire Régional des Espaces Naturels (regional association for natural areas), the Groupe Chiroptère Aquitaine (chiroptera group of Aquitaine) and the Espaces Naturels Aquitaine association (natural areas Aquitaine), the site of the Caves of Sare is now listed as a habitat of international interest due to the numerous species that live there.

Guillen, the lamin

During your visit, you might have the chance to meet Guillen the Lamin, real genie of the sources who will open wide the doors to Basque mythology.


A site dedicated to the memory of Jose-Miguel de Barandiaran

JM de Barandiaran, Basque anthropologist

Born in Ataun (province of Gipuzkoa in the South of the Basque Country), JM de BARANDIARAN was one of the greatest anthropologists of his time. He was a refugee in Sare for 15 years and the village became his favourite research topic.


The guided tour of the Caves of Sare is dedicated to him in acknowledgement of a whole life devoted to the memory of the Basque people.

The project "Under the earth and without border"

Seven other caves set up a partnership with the Caves of Sare so that you can discover the specificities of each one of them. Every year in March, during one day, you will be able to visit all of them at a very special price.

The caves taking part in the project are :


Basque Caves : Arrikrutz (Oñati) - Mendukilo (Astitz) - Pozalagua (Karantza) - Ikaburu (Urdazubi-Urdax) - Lezea (Sare) - Sorginen lezea (Zugarramurdi)

  • The caves of Arrikrutz in Oñati (Spain - Gipuzkoa)
  • The caves of Mendukilo in Astitz (Spain - Nafarroa)
  • The caves of Pozalagua in Karrantza (Spain - Bizkaia)
  • The caves of Ikaburu in Urdazubi/Urdax (Spain - Nafarroa)
  • The caves of Sare Lezea (France - Lapurdi)
  • The caves of Zugarramurdi Sorginen lezea (Spain - Nafarroa)
  • The caves of Ekainberri in Zestoa (Spain - Gipuzkoa)
  • The • The Interpretation Centre for Rock Painting in Karrantza, at the cave of Koben Koba

> More about the "Under the earth and without border" project <