Domaine des Grottes de Han

About the museum

The Han cave, carved out by the Lesse in the hill, has fascinated people for a long time. The oldest traces of fire found in the galleries near the entrance date from around 10,500 years ago, and the riverbed has yielded many objects, from the Late Bronze Age to modern times, including an exceptional quantity of bronze pieces and pins. Archaeological excavations began in 1902, and divers from the Centre de Recherches Archéologiques Fluviales still continue them today at the cave exit. Abbé Jean Berthels was the first to describe the cave in writing, before it appeared on a map in 1608.

Organised visits officially began in 1809, when the miller Jean-Baptiste Remy, the village guide, opened a visitors’ register; in 1817 he made the first complete crossing of the hill. In the 1850s Baron Édouard de Spandl, a nature enthusiast, explored the cave with villagers, bought it in 1856 and fitted it out to open it to the general public. More than a hundred years later, to protect the natural site around it, the Domaine created the Parc Animalier (wildlife park) in 1970; it now covers 250 hectares.

Today the cave is fully equipped with LEDs. Two guided tours allow you to discover it: the Découverte visit and the Traversée visit. In the vast Salle d’Armes (Armoury Hall), about 110 metres underground, the Origin video mapping and laser show, created by Luc Petit and running since 2018, is included in the classic visit.

Highlights

• Han cave with its large chambers, concretions and the underground Lesse
• Origin sound and light show in the Salle d’Armes, 110 m underground
• Découverte visit (1 hour 15 minutes) or Traversée across the hill (2 hours, 510 steps)
• 250-hectare wildlife park, visited on foot or by Safari-car
• Archaeological site: Bronze Age remains found in the riverbed

Permanent exhibitions

• La Grotte de Han : visites Découverte et Traversée – Guided tours of the cave carved out by the Lesse, with its large chambers and concretions: the Découverte visit lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, the Traversée 2 hours.
• Spectacle Origin – Video mapping and laser show in the Salle d’Armes, about 110 m underground, included in the classic visit.
• Comprendre la Grotte – Presentation of the geology, hydrology, archaeology and exploration of the cave.

Founded

1856

Admission & discounts

Online prices. The Grotte ticket (€29) covers either the Découverte or the Traversée visit. Combined tickets are visited on different dates. On-site payment is possible by card and cash, as well as with Sport & Culture cheques and ANCV holiday vouchers after obtaining a code.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Cave and Wildlife Park visits on foot are not accessible to wheelchair users. The Park visit by Safari-car is possible if the person can stay seated for 1 hour 30 minutes and climb into the vehicle alone (there is no lift). Safari-car visits with an adapted trailer are offered to groups with reduced mobility on booking, on weekdays and outside Belgian school holidays (up to 8 wheelchair users, 50 participants in total).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available

The Découverte visit (1 hour 15 minutes) suits families with young children and older visitors; entry is free for under 4s. Pushchairs are not admitted in the cave (367 steps): a baby carrier is recommended, and pushchairs can wait near the entrance, under the responsibility of their owners.

Getting there & parking

By car: E411 from Brussels or Luxembourg, exit 23 (Wellin); N4 Arlon–Luxembourg or N63 from Liège. By bike: RAVeL 150 from Houyet to Jemelle (22 km). Carpooling: 15% discount in the estate’s shops on presentation of a BlaBlaCar booking.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Restaurant Le Pavillon with a terrace on the bank of the Lesse, the self-service “The Bear” at the entrance to the departure plain, the Le Tivoli bistro in the Wildlife Park, and light refreshments at the cave exit. Picnics are allowed on site. Shops on the estate.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Offers for companies: family days, team building, product presentations, meetings, dinners and staff parties.

Plan your visit