Ardèche / Gard (Frankreich)

The Ardeche and the adjacent departement Gard in Southern France are surely an almost inexhaustible area for caving! Everyone has surely heard names such as Grottes de St. Marcel or Aven Orgnac! Milestones were set in the history of caving here! The lime plateaus are cut through by deep river valleys. Due to the warm climate, a poor vertical cover with a strong vegetation on the surface, the most caves are rich in formations. This induces the necessarity to exlpore the caves with the necessary caution. Nevertheless, also the surface has its attractions - walking, climbing, canoeing, markets, the Middle Ages,… and the whole with a really pleasantly mediterranen flair!
Our starting point is the small place Casteljeau at the river Chassezac - the small "brother" of the Ardeche. From thie relatively central point, most caves are to reach in an easy way - also in the neighbour departement Gard. For beginners, it is advisable to keep to the Speleo Sportive Ardeche guide.