Grotte de la Cocalière

The Cocalière cave is in the commune of Courry, in the Gard, between Alès and Aubenas, at the foot of the Cévennes National Park. Formed about 35 million years ago, it continues to evolve. Its network exceeds 14 km in development, of which about 1 km is open to the public, with three natural entrances and two artificial ones. The temperature is around 14 °C. Human occupation is attested from the Mousterian to the Iron Age.

The first explorations date from the mid-nineteenth century, and the cave has been open to visits since 1967. You can admire stalactites, stalagmites, discs, pearls, gours and fine curtains of calcite, which earns it the nickname "cave of diamonds". Near the exit, a reconstruction shows a prehistoric excavation site, and the return is made by little train through a protected natural site. A discovery trail crosses the Mediterranean karst.

← Other sites in Gard