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The cave has been known since ancient times under the name "Trou aux Fayes". At the beginning of the Christian era, it often served as a haven for local residents, who were persecuted by rampant barbarians.
In 1831, an expedition by Messrs. Haller and Ott allowed to reach a distance of 600 meters from the entrance.
From 1864 a man has shaped the history of the grotto: the canon Gard, professor at the College of the Abbey of St. Maurice. He was the builder and organizer of important Freilege- and furnishing work. It is very likely that during this work access to the lake was opened with the help of mines. In the same year he decided the grotto in favor of the orphanage of Vérolliez, whose reasons he was to use.
In 1865 he entrusted the leadership of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Maurice. In addition, to make the grotto better known, the grotto is renamed "Grotte aux Fées" (Fairy Grotto), a poetic name as "Trou aux Fayes". And since it was then in Europe in the Romantic era, the success did not wait, because by visiting a cave, all dreams should be fulfilled.
In 1925 Messrs. Fournier and Virieux arrived at the top of the waterfall and discovered the higher network. They reached 9 hours before reaching the point which is still the terminus today.
Since the first commissioning for tourists created by the canon Gard, the following directors have been active:
1864-1924 Sisters of St. Maurice 1955-1995 Family Chablod
1924-1934 family Chevalet 1951-1955 Family Peney
1934-1951 Family Fournier Dès 1995 Crittin-Reynard