Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
26 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
26 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
26 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
26 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All France Savonnières Les Grottes Pétrifiantes

Les Grottes Pétrifiantes

Limestone grottoes turns everyday objects into stone.

Savonnières, France

Added By
Joshua Foer
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
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
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes.   Duch.seb/cc by-sa 3.0
  Celine / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

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

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.grottes-savonnieres.com/
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes
Route des Grottes Pétrifiantes
Savonnières, 37510
France
47.3458, 0.5314
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Musee du Compagnonnage

Tours, France

miles away

Leonardo da Vinci's Tomb

Amboise, France

miles away

Fontevraud Abbey

Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of France

France

Europe

Places 700
Stories 74

Nearby Places

Musee du Compagnonnage

Tours, France

miles away

Leonardo da Vinci's Tomb

Amboise, France

miles away

Fontevraud Abbey

Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of France

France

Europe

Places 700
Stories 74

Related Places

  • Al Hoota Cave

    Al Hamra, Oman

    Al Hoota Cave

    The biggest cave system in the Arabian Peninsula is home to a rare variety of blind fish.

  • Cape Flattery

    Neah Bay, Washington

    Cape Flattery

    At the most northwestern point of the contiguous United States lies a trail leading through an ancient forest to stunning cliff-side vistas and massive oceanside caves.

  • Lacy’s Caves

    Penrith, England

    Lacy's Caves

    A series of idealized caves carved to entertain guests.

  • Front view.

    Athens, Greece

    Caves of Filopappou Hill

    These caves secretly held national treasures during World War II.

  • Entrance to the ice cave at Bixby State Preserve.

    Edgewood, Iowa

    Ice Cave of Bixby State Preserve

    Chilly air billows out from the entrance of an abandoned mine on a steep hillside, providing a refuge for Ice Age fauna and flora.

  • Inside one of the stone dwellings.

    Soriano nel Cimino, Italy

    Corviano

    This archaeological site built into a tuff outcrop is filled with rock dwellings, the ruins of a medieval castle, and a necropolis.

  • Vie Cave

    Sorano, Italy

    Vie Cave

    This network of roads is one of the most unique Etruscan creations ever discovered.

  • Flensburg, Germany

    Mumiengrotte (Mummy's Cave)

    Located in the middle of public park, this cave built in the early 19th century houses an ancient stone sarcophagus.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.