Musée Suisse de la Spéléologie


Useful Information

Location: rue Chez Moren, 1955 Chamoson.
N9 between Martigny and Sion, exit Riddes, north to Chamoson.
(46.207962, 7.215400)
Open: MAR to OCT Wed-Sun 14-18.
Temporarily closed.
[2022]
Fee: Temporarily closed.
[2022]
Classification: SubterraneaCave and Karst Museums
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours: self guided Français - French Deutsch - German English
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Musée Suisse de la Spéléologie, rue Chez Moren, 1955 Chamoson, Tel: +41-27-306-35-81. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1994 museum created and opened to the public.
25-SEP-1995 non-profit association MUSEE SUISSE DE LA SPELEOLOGIE et des environnements souterrains founded.

Description

The Musée Suisse de la Spéléologie (Swiss Museum of Spelelology) is dedicated to all aspects of speleology. This includes aspects of caving like light, surveying, photography, cave diving, and cave rescue. Also, scientific caving with the sciences geology, hydrology, mineralogy, archaeology, and biology. Special exhibits are the model of a cave entrance, mannequins representing the history of caving, models, slideshows and video presentations. The exhibition is completed by temporary exhibitions.

This museum was crated by the Swiss Speleological Society and is managed by a non-profit association which was founded for this purpose. And as it is located in Switzerland, the explanations are in the main languages of the country, French and German, and also in English. At the time when it was created it was more or less unique in the world. Today, 25 years later, there are probably half a dozen museums worldwide which are comparable. The fact that it is dedicated to speleology exclusively and that it is independent of any other association or venue is also quite unique. Other museums are operated by a governmental institution, a show cave, or a caving club. For some reason it is currently closed, we guess that's a result of Covid-19, and it will be reopened soon. Unfortunately their website is currently down, which is definitely a bad sign.

Nestled in the heart of the vineyards of central Valais, in Chamoson, and close to the famous Colline aux Oiseaux (Hill of Birds). The museum, recognised world wide by the International Council of Museums, unveils for you the thousand and one facets of the 7th continent. There you will discover the history of cave explorers; the scope of modern speleology; and the diverse applications of this sporting science. A splendid slide show explains the birth, life and death of the cave. Commentaries are available in French, German or English.

The latest addition to the Museum is the rare Slovenian Cave animal the BiologyOlm (Proteus anguinus) or man-fish, which is living and hopefully breeding in its own aquarium.


Text by Tony Oldham (AUG-2003). With kind permission.