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All France Savonnières Les Grottes Pétrifiantes

Les Grottes Pétrifiantes

Limestone grottoes turns everyday objects into stone.

Savonnières, France

Added By
Joshua Foer
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Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Objects left for six months to a year under the mineral-rich springs of the petrifying grottoes of Savonnières, France, emerge coated in a perfectly pure white layer of limestone. Bas-relief molds left in the cave for two years at a time (turned once every fortnight) produce fully formed architectural ornaments. The adjacent Museum of Petrifaction collects these beautiful petrified objects--each a marriage of art and nature--for public display and sale.

The grottoes, located just outside the city of Tours, also contain a collection of stalagmites and stalactites, an underground lake, a Gallo-Roman cemetery, and a model of a large and fearsome prehistoric lizard.

Related Tags

Caves Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

M10, exit 24, follow RD7 in the direction of Villandry. The Savonnieres' petrifying grottoes are situated at the Savonnieres' exit. Free car park.

Community Contributors

Added By

Josh

Edited By

Ella Morton, Kerry Wolfe, Celine

  • Ella Morton
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Celine

Published

October 2, 2009

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  • http://www.grottes-savonnieres.com/
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes
Route des Grottes Pétrifiantes
Savonnières, 37510
France
47.3458, 0.5314
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Musee du Compagnonnage

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of France

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Explore the Destination Guide

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