Caverne du Dragon, Musee du Chemin des Dames
Caverne du Dragon, Musee du Chemin des Dames
Caverne du Dragon, Musee du Chemin des Dames
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
On the Chemin des Dames, the Dragon’s Lair, a former limestone quarry located nearly 50 feet below ground, offers a poignant insight into the lives of soldiers during the Great War. Through sound, image and archive documents, visitors discover far below the front line what daily life must have been like for the troops.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
327 reviews
Excellent
179
Very good
101
Average
26
Poor
11
Terrible
10
NikJ
Ascot, UK927 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Went first thing and was able to go on a tour led in French, though we had headset with commentary at each of the stop points. Interesting to see the size and the importance of the cave and how there were multiple owners. There were only 7 in our group, first thing
Written November 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boushka
Halifax, UK90 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
Above ground there is a large, modern glass building with lots of information about the trenches and the location of these can clearly be seen and offering wonderful views of the surrounding area. This is a great place for a picnic. You will also find a range evocative of modern sculptures using barbed wire. There is no charge for looking around the upstairs area.
To go underground on the tour the charge was 4 Euros per adult and 3 for a child. This is using a discount card from a nearby tourist information office. Luckily we arrived a few minutes before the tour in English which was at 12pm.
First you watch a quite confusing film that discusses the area and its use through history. We found this of poor quality really and my husband who is very interested in this period of history commented that there are far better clips and information available elsewhere and that it was of poor quality compared to that found on the history channel/DVD’s such as The Great War etc. Clearly our two children were not impressed either.
Following this 10 minute video you put on a coat and are led into the 'cave'. The only cave art was an image of a saint made many years before to cave was used in the war by a miner.
Following this you are led through various areas and their use was explained. Roughly the French side and the German side and the no-mans land. Little detail was given and it was very hard to get a real feel of how it was as it was practically empty. You look up at where the Germans ran some wires, and the ground rose where the Germans placed rubble from their extension work.
The guide whipped through the tour and there was really very little history on show. The guide seemed disinterested, bored and a little unfriendly. Most of what we expected to see has been removed and replaced by a large concrete floor, with rows of electric candles on stands to signify the loss of life. In many ways the underground tour was like visiting a big underground basement, with a bit of a modern gallery included and there were, very, very few original artefacts. We kept on thinking 'is this it?'
The hospital area for example was shown as a large, modern, three sided hanging bed sheet and a quick flash of the guides torch. What! She really seemed to be going through the motions and wanting to get back to the surface and no doubt back to a warm coffee.
Finally you are shown another room showing where the altar was and where it has been moved t. Crosses on the wall marking where shallow dug graves once lay and a gaudy room I suppose this was to show the tedium of life below ground. At the centre of this was a large upward facing television set out as a table and showing moving cards, mugs etc.
You are not allowed to take photos which seemed completely over the top. Though really there is absolutely nothing that you would want to photograph anyway. It has all been removed.
In modern lit glass cases were a small number of items made by some soldiers using shell casing etc. That was it. Finally you were given the choice of stairs of a lift to get out. We visited many other museums and galleries including the Somme museum, Paris Catacomb and Louvre, where taking photos was acceptable, sometimes with the proviso that a flash was not used.
Further along the road from this site there is a huge forested area that is full of bomb craters from battles, viewing areas, memorials and cemeteries that are absolutely free and reveal so much more. These areas are far, far more emotive than this sanitised underground tour.
To go underground on the tour the charge was 4 Euros per adult and 3 for a child. This is using a discount card from a nearby tourist information office. Luckily we arrived a few minutes before the tour in English which was at 12pm.
First you watch a quite confusing film that discusses the area and its use through history. We found this of poor quality really and my husband who is very interested in this period of history commented that there are far better clips and information available elsewhere and that it was of poor quality compared to that found on the history channel/DVD’s such as The Great War etc. Clearly our two children were not impressed either.
Following this 10 minute video you put on a coat and are led into the 'cave'. The only cave art was an image of a saint made many years before to cave was used in the war by a miner.
Following this you are led through various areas and their use was explained. Roughly the French side and the German side and the no-mans land. Little detail was given and it was very hard to get a real feel of how it was as it was practically empty. You look up at where the Germans ran some wires, and the ground rose where the Germans placed rubble from their extension work.
The guide whipped through the tour and there was really very little history on show. The guide seemed disinterested, bored and a little unfriendly. Most of what we expected to see has been removed and replaced by a large concrete floor, with rows of electric candles on stands to signify the loss of life. In many ways the underground tour was like visiting a big underground basement, with a bit of a modern gallery included and there were, very, very few original artefacts. We kept on thinking 'is this it?'
The hospital area for example was shown as a large, modern, three sided hanging bed sheet and a quick flash of the guides torch. What! She really seemed to be going through the motions and wanting to get back to the surface and no doubt back to a warm coffee.
Finally you are shown another room showing where the altar was and where it has been moved t. Crosses on the wall marking where shallow dug graves once lay and a gaudy room I suppose this was to show the tedium of life below ground. At the centre of this was a large upward facing television set out as a table and showing moving cards, mugs etc.
You are not allowed to take photos which seemed completely over the top. Though really there is absolutely nothing that you would want to photograph anyway. It has all been removed.
In modern lit glass cases were a small number of items made by some soldiers using shell casing etc. That was it. Finally you were given the choice of stairs of a lift to get out. We visited many other museums and galleries including the Somme museum, Paris Catacomb and Louvre, where taking photos was acceptable, sometimes with the proviso that a flash was not used.
Further along the road from this site there is a huge forested area that is full of bomb craters from battles, viewing areas, memorials and cemeteries that are absolutely free and reveal so much more. These areas are far, far more emotive than this sanitised underground tour.
Written August 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrisgale
Sheffield, UK1,197 contributions
Sep 2014 • Friends
Really wanted to go to this as looked very interesting, but were told very curtly on trying to buy tickets there were no English tours today, no headsets available and you can't go around by yourself. I speak a little French but my Australian visitors didn't. You can book ahead I found out there is about one tour a day. This seems mad as its dedicated to the Tommies.
Written September 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew J
Fareham, UK291 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Due to reasons beyond our control, we arrived about 15 mins late for the guided tour. We were curtly advised that it was not possible to catch up the only English tour. However, we could take the French tour in 75 minuets. Whilst this this was entirely acceptable position to take, what was not acceptable was the pleasure the three staff sitting at the reception desk gained in giving their answer.
Written November 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mando1inMan
Edinburgh, UK64 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
I emailed to book the English speaking tour (only 1 a week, 12 noon on Sundays) ahead of our visit. This is a great visit. Whilst most WW1 visits look at huge battles this visit homes in on the life of only a few soldiers in a specific area and is a great contrast. Being underground and in caves my children (11 - 16 years) also enjoyed the adventure. Our guide constantly apologised for her 'poor English' but there really was no need she was superb. I would highly recommend this visit to all. This is only one attraction on the Rue de la Dame, and I would love to return to visit more.
Written July 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyNorfolk
norfolk41 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
We visited this site but unfortunately it was was closed on Tuesday morning with only a tour, in French, in the afternoon. We decided to take the tour and try to understand as much as we could but we were very pleasantly surprised. The guide was amazing. Although the tour was in French, he spoke excellent English and despite being the only English people on the tour, he went out of his way to make sure that we were given our own commentary for everything of importance. Probably one of the best tour guides that I have ever found in any country. The site is worth seeing if you have any interest in the 1st WW and you cannot help but come away very moved by the whole experience, more than words can express. An absolute must see if you are in the area.
Written June 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen B
Birmingham, UK26 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
We were a party of 5, my 80 year old dad, husband and two boys aged 9 & 13. We booked the 12 midday tour that had an English speaking guide and he was a lovely man with a good sense of humour. He involved the kids in the talks but they found the strong french accent difficult to understand at times, however we all appreciated the knowledge and detail that the guide shared. The caves are reported as being about 12 degrees and we all had hoodies although the boys were quite cold towards the end of the tour which lasted just over an hour. My dad has limited mobility and we took our own wheelchair. There is a lift down to the caves and the toilets and although the tour is described as wheelchair friendly being on one level it is quite uneven and took quite a lot of effort on the part of my husband to push on the uneven surfaces. The guide was very helpful and on occasions also helped to push dad up some of the small inclines. From my dads point of view, he was quite cold at the end of the tour and found it quite bumpy but very much enjoyed the whole experience. He would have struggled to stand for an hour and walk on the uneven surface.
I would recommend this tour (English speaking) but be prepared for the cold and difficulties with a wheelchair if one is required.
I would recommend this tour (English speaking) but be prepared for the cold and difficulties with a wheelchair if one is required.
Written October 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie P
Glen Waverley, Australia332 contributions
Sep 2013 • Family
This is an amazing underground museum that is basically trenches from WW1. There is a lot to see which is both interesting and informative. It really depicts the conditions that the soldiers lived and fought here during the war. These trenches were used by both the allies and the Germans and at points there were very close which made life in these trenches very risky. The staff were very helpful. The cost is minimal. Coats are provided as it is cold under ground. There is a small cafe in the building upstairs. You can book a tour in your language which is good but there is plenty of information in English for you to read as you walk around the trenches. The views from outside are spectacular. Definitely worth a visit.
Written April 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asta365
Kent, TX580 contributions
Sep 2021 • Solo
Very interesting tour of the quarry that turned into a refuge from the carnage above on the Chemin des Dames. Would have appreciated learning more about the periods when both French and German soldiers were in the Caverne at the same time. Also would have appreciated context on how many and how large the other quarry spaces in the area were.
While I thought there would be a 1200 English language tour (based on the website and the most recent TA reviews), that was not correct. Frankly, I had gotten a super early start in the morning and skipped lunch to make that supposed time slot. Instead, I went on a regularly-scheduled, early afternoon French language tour and used the audio guide in English. It was very clear to me that more information was conveyed by the guide than was on the audio guide. Surprisingly, as our group exited, an English language tour was beginning. Not sure if I would have waited an hour for this tour, but I might have if it was clearly on offer. Lesson: Send an e-mail asking for clarification of available tours and their timing.
Finally, having studied the battle in several courses, I once again relearned there is no substitute for actually walking the terrain. Very valuable to get a true appreciation of the topography.
While I thought there would be a 1200 English language tour (based on the website and the most recent TA reviews), that was not correct. Frankly, I had gotten a super early start in the morning and skipped lunch to make that supposed time slot. Instead, I went on a regularly-scheduled, early afternoon French language tour and used the audio guide in English. It was very clear to me that more information was conveyed by the guide than was on the audio guide. Surprisingly, as our group exited, an English language tour was beginning. Not sure if I would have waited an hour for this tour, but I might have if it was clearly on offer. Lesson: Send an e-mail asking for clarification of available tours and their timing.
Finally, having studied the battle in several courses, I once again relearned there is no substitute for actually walking the terrain. Very valuable to get a true appreciation of the topography.
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lori G
Upper Montclair, NJ290 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
The museum closed in late August 2018 and will reopen in 7 mos. A trip to the overlook is nonetheless haunting when one realizes 400,000 men were killed or injured in the battles of 1917 there.
An art installation depicting the sacrifice of Senegalese riflemen is moving. We should not forget how the Europeans used, in the worst sense of the word, black and brown people to bolster their ranks
An art installation depicting the sacrifice of Senegalese riflemen is moving. We should not forget how the Europeans used, in the worst sense of the word, black and brown people to bolster their ranks
Written October 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We plan a visit on Thurs, June 27. What time should we arrive for the 12 noon English tour? Do we need a reservation?
Written May 30, 2019
Would like to visit Sunday 12th May, do we need to book a tour in advance? (how?) Thanks!
Written March 4, 2019
Bonjour, existe il un lieux pour se restaurer sur place ? Les bébés de 5 mois sont ils acceptés ? Merci.
Written May 19, 2018
Bonjour. A ma connaissance, l'espace détente ne permet pas une restauration complète. S'agissant du bébé, il convient de le couvrir en conséquence de la fraîcheur et de faire attention aux risques toujours possibles d chute dans les escaliers.
Written May 20, 2018
Hello,
A visit for 20 people costs 6€ a person. It is possible to have a visit in English every day at 12 am (except Tuesday). For a group, I advise you to reserve with the service of the reservations : 0323251410 to know the availability.
I remain at your disposal for any additional information.
Written March 10, 2015
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