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General presentation
Today the caves of Naours are the most characteristic and
the most complete example of refuges known to date. Completely
hollowed out by man to a depth averaging 33 m, they are made
up of about thirty galleries extending over a total length
of 2 km. The height of these galleries varies between 1.60
m and 2 m. These underground caves were hollowed out for the
dual purpose of providing shelter for man and beast during
the wars and invasions. They were also used for the extraction
of building stone to construct the village.
Along the length of the galleries you can see the regular
cells where different families gathered together.
All over the walls, emblems and inscription can be seen: religious
symbols, place names, family names, dates from the year 1340
to 1792.
At the end of the visit, you discover a small museum dedicated
to the old Picardy crafts including basket-making, weaving,
flax-beating and shepherding.
On Watchtower Hill, above the caves, you can admire two pivot
wooden mills. One was an oil mill, the other a flour mill.
These two mills dominate the village and the valley of Naours.
History
The caves were constructed at the time of the barbarian invasions
of the 3rd and 4th centuries and later in the 9th century
at the time of the Norman invasions. From the year 800 until
the Revolution of 1789, wars and invasions followed each other
in Picardy and the population regularly used the caves of
Naours as a refuge. Under the reign of Louis XVI, they even
served as "faux saulniers" (salt smugglers) to escape
salt tax.
It was in 1887 that Abbot Danicourt rediscovered and explored
the caves of Naours.
During both world wars the caves were no longer used as refuges
for the population but were requisitioned by the military
forces. Thanks to the various writings on the walls and the
objects and coins discovered when the caves were reopened,
it is possible to not only date the periods in which they
were occupied but to also imagine the life led by the populations
who took refuge there. This is what makes the Grottes de Naourt
so interesting to visit. The Grottes de Naours were opened
to the public in 1949.
Practical info
Opening times
Visits everyday from 01/02 to 30/11, 10 am-12:30 am and 2
pm-5:30 pm (9:30 am -6:30 pm from 01/04 to 31/08).
From 01/12 to 31/01, visits on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
upon reservation, 2pm-5pm.
Visit lasts between 45 mins and 50 mins – constant temperature
of the caves: 9°C
Prices
Adults : 10 €
Children (4-12) : 8 €
Free for children under 4.
In the park (12ha) around the caves : walks, game park, animals,
mini-golf, small train tour (according to weather). Two XVIIIth
century windmills (one of which is open to visits)
Park only: 5 €
Free parking in front of the caves.
Grottes de Naours
5, rue des Carrières
80260 NAOURS
Tel : +33 (0)3 22 93 71 78 - Fax : +33 (0)3 22 93 44 77
E-mail : contact@grottesdenaours.com
Website : www.grottesdenaours.com
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