Aven Armand

Some stalagmites featured in the Aven Armand cave

Aven Armand is a limestone cave located in the Cévennes National Park of France, in the Lozère département, between Meyrueis and Sainte-Enimie.

It was first scientifically explored by the French explorers Louis Armand and Édouard-Alfred Martel in 1897.[1][2] The cave begins as a narrow pit, descending 75 metres (246 ft) before opening up into an enormous vaulted chamber known as the Grand Salle, or "Great Hall".[1]

The Grand Salle is close to 100 metres (330 ft) long and 55 metres (180 ft) wide.[1] The floor is covered with a proliferation of fragile limestone speleothems in a variety of shapes and sizes, created by the slow dripping of water through the stone over thousands of years. Some have reached heights of close to 30 metres (98 ft).[1]

It has been open to the public since 1927, after a man-made tunnel and walkway paths were created to permit easier viewing of the Grand Salle.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 59. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.
  2. ↑ texte, Académie des sciences (France) Auteur du (1897-07-01). "Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des séances de l'Académie des sciences / publiés... par MM. les secrétaires perpétuels". Gallica. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
  3. ↑ Aveyron, Aven Armand Cave Visit Gorges of Tarn Jonte Great Causses Lozère. "Aven Armand Cave Pearl of the Great Plateaus Virgi". www.aven-armand.com. Retrieved 2017-02-21.

Coordinates: 44°13′16″N 3°21′26″E / 44.22111°N 3.35722°E / 44.22111; 3.35722


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