Grotte de la Cigalère et Gouffre Martel, Limestone cave system in Sentein, France
The Grotte de la Cigalère and Gouffre Martel form a limestone cave system in the Pyrenees with extensive underground passages and chambers. The network combines two connected cave areas that together create a large system for exploration and scientific study.
The entrance was discovered in 1932 when an explorer was investigating a mountain stream and found the cave opening. This discovery led to extensive exploration and made the system a focus for cave research.
The Association de Recherches Spéléologiques du Haut-Lez manages the site since 1969, conducting research and maintaining the geological heritage.
Access requires prior arrangement with local cave organizations and adherence to safety rules. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground, tight passages, and damp conditions.
One section within the cave system holds remarkable gypsum crystal formations that are known among cave enthusiasts. These mineral structures developed over millennia through water and chemical processes underground.
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