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Also: |
Caves |
This page lists caves, pot-holes and sink-holes open only to certified members
of Speleological Clubs, accompanied by a professional guide, and with the correct equipment.
For caves open to the public for guided visits, check out Caves.
For the moment we have just a list of the caves with a brief description of the location. Because they are listed by their French names, these French terms will help explain their nature:
| French |
English |
| aven |
pot-hole, sink-hole |
| gouffre |
pit, chasm |
| grotte |
cave |
| gorge |
gorge, canyon |
| plateau |
plateau, high plain |
Sports Caving
Andon 06750
Nearby grottos and potholes
Banon 04150
Caladaire Grotto - Gouffre du Caladaire
By the hamlet of Montsallier, 25 km northwest of Forcalquier on the D950. Forcalquier is 10 km west of the Durance river and the autoroute A51 between Aix-en-Provence and Sisteron, and about 20 km north of Manosque.
Caille 06750
Many grottos and potholes at nearby La Moulière, including the Aven de la Glacière (where Michel Siffre studied chronobiology) and the Via Souterrata.
Via Souterrata
Underground cavern with fixed cables and aids in the style of Via Ferrata rock climbing.
Location:
Parc de la Moulière, outdoor sports area by the hamlet of La Moulière, 6 km southeast of Caille village.
Open FilesAll year.
Tel: 0493 603 451; Fax: 0493 603 451
Email: loupais.caille@wanadoo.fr
Web: www.lou-pais.com
Calern Plateau (Plaine de Calern) 06
Calernaum Grotto - Le Gouffre du Calernaum
Located on the upper plateau, above Caussols, the entrances are controlled by the CERGA Observatory .
Canjuers Plateau 83
Sorps Grotto - Aven de Sorps
The Plateau de Canjuers, 25 km northwest of Draguignan and 30 km southwest of Castellane, is part of a large military terrain. For access to the Aven de Sorps, a collection of pot-holes with a subterranean river, contact the Speleo-club de Draguignan.
Caussols Plateau (Plateau de Caussols) 06
Embut de Caussols - Gouffre de l'Embut
About 12 km north of Grasse, either west via St. Vallier on the Route Napoléon (N85) or east via Gourdon (D2085, D3). The cave is located about 2 km east of the hamlet of Caussols, just south of the D12.
Cipières 06620
There are at least 15 grottos and potholes (avens) in the area around Cipières, especially across the Caussols Plateau (Plateau de Caussols) just to the southwest. The aven des Baoudillons goes down 120 meters.
Claviers 83830
La Lioure Cave - Aven de La Lioure
The Aven de la Lioure is located about 1.5 km east of the village.
Comps-sur-Artuby 83840
Gnomines Grotto - Grotte des Gnomines
This grotto is mentioned on an old patrimoine listing as being south of Comps-sur-Artuby, but we haven't been able to locate it.
La Souche Cave - Aven de La Souche
The Aven de la Souche about 3 km east of Comps-sur-Artuby, 600 m south of the D21 road.
Conségudes 06510
Nearby grottos and potholes
Daluis Gorges (Gorges de Daluis) 06
Cat Grottos - Grottes du Chat
The Grottes du Chat caves are located 300 m above the village of Daluis, 8.5 km north of the N202, half way between Annot and Entrevaux.
Falicon 06950
Ratapignata Cave - Aven des Ratapignata
The Ratapignata Pyramid is a grotto beneath a small, ancient pyramid.
Les Ferres 06510
Nearby grottos and potholes
Levens 06670
Castel-Vecchio
The Castel-Vecchio has been developed to about 20m.
Frigates Cave - Aven des Frégates
The Aven des Frégates on the D19 towards Tourrette has been explored down to -138 m, and has an underground stream.
La Source - La Source
Two grottos at La Source have each been developed about 50 m.
St. Arnoux Grotto - Grotte de St. Arnoux
The Grotte de St. Arnoux is reputed to have miraculous waters that heal the eyes and skin diseases.
Malaussène 06710
Mescla Grottos - Grottes de la Mescla
Malaussène is on the N202, Route de Grenoble, about 35 km north of Nice, just 6 km before (east of) Villars-sur-Var.
Mons 83440
Mons Grotto - La Grotte de Mons
From Saint Cézaire-sur-Siagne, take the tiny D105 northwest (direction Mons) up the Gorges de la Siagne about 5 km. Follow the even tinier D656 (north, direction Mons). The cave is closed off by an iron grate because of damage and vandalism, so ask for the key at the Mairie in Mons.
Nans-les-Pins 83860
Petit Saint Cassien Grotto - Gouffre du Petit Saint Cassien
Northwest of Toulon, this site is located half way between Aubagne (east of Marseille) and Brignoles on the N560.
Saint Cézaire-sur-Siagne 06530
Easter Grotto - La Grotte de Paques
From St. Cézaire (as for Grottes de la Foux 1), take the tiny D105 northwest (direction Mons) about 5 km. Where the road crosses the Canal de la Siagne, park and walk. Follow the aqueduct north about 10 minutes, to the first houses before the hydro-electric plant. The path is marked (on private property), passing to the right of the houses, and the grotto is about 300 m further.
La Foux Grottos 1 - Grottes de la Foux 1
15 km west of Grasse on the D11, and 11 km south of St. Vallier on the D5. From St. Cézaire, take the tiny D105 northwest (direction Mons) about 5 km. Where the road crosses the Canal de la Siagne, park your car and walk, following down the water course.
La Foux Grottos 2 - Grottes de la Foux 2
From St. Cézaire (as for Grottes de la Foux 1), take the tiny D105 northwest (direction Mons) about 5 km. Where the road crosses the Canal de la Siagne, park and walk. Follow the Siagne north about 1000 m, to opposite the hydro-electric plant.
Sault 84390
Jean Nouveau Cave - Aven de Jean Nouveau
Sault is in the Vaucluse mountains, about 80 km due north of Aix-en-Provence (31 km north of Apt ). It is well west of the Durance river and the Aix-Sisteron A51 autoroute (54 km west of Forcalquier on the D950). One of the most famous pits in the world, the Aven de Jean Nouveau was first explored in 1892. A Beyond reader has been down to -578 metres here.
Séranon 06750
Nearby grottos and potholes
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