The Balzi Rossi are a cliff about a hundred metres high dropping into the sea at Grimaldi, a stone’s throw from the French border at Ponte San Ludovico. The red colour comes from the iron in the rock. Tens of thousands of years ago, the caves hollowed out at the foot of the cliff were inhabited by Neanderthals and then by the first Homo sapiens: it is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the Mediterranean.
From Bordighera it takes about 25 minutes by car.
The caves and the discoveries
There are about fifteen caves. The best known are the Grotta del Principe, the largest, the Barma Grande, the Grotta dei Fanciulli and the Grotta del Caviglione. The excavations, which began as early as the first half of the 19th century, have brought to light some twenty burials, animal remains, stone tools, female figurines and engravings.
Among the most famous finds is the Triple Burial, about 25,000 years old: an adult and two young people buried together with grave goods of flints, pierced shells, fish vertebrae and deer canines. Then there are the Venuses, small Palaeolithic female figurines, and the engraving of a horse in the Grotta del Caviglione, an example of Palaeolithic rock art.
The museum
The first museum was built in 1898 with funding from Thomas Hanbury, the creator of the Hanbury Gardens. Today the visit includes the two museum buildings, with the original finds, and an equipped path leading to some of the caves.
Tips for your visit
- How long you need: an hour and a half for the museum and the caves.
- Getting there: by car (about 13 km) along the Aurelia to Grimaldi, just before the border.
- Cave times: the Grotta del Caviglione can only be visited in two time slots a day: plan your visit accordingly.
- Free entry: admission is free on the first Sunday of the month, and always for under-18s.
- Combine it with: the Hanbury Gardens at La Mortola and, across the border, Menton.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Balzi Rossi?
A red cliff above the sea on the French border, with caves inhabited in prehistoric times and a museum displaying the finds from the excavations.
What is the Triple Burial?
The burial of an adult and two young people from about 25,000 years ago, with their grave goods, on display in the museum.
How much is admission?
A full-price ticket costs €4 and a reduced ticket (ages 18–25) €2; admission is free for under-18s.
Is the museum open on Mondays?
No, the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
