Caves of Thouzon, Natural cave system in Le Thor, France
The Caves of Thouzon is a cave system extending roughly 230 meters underground beneath Le Thor, featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and an underground river channel. The passages display rock formations of different shapes and sizes that illustrate how water carved through the limestone over time.
Workers discovered the cave system by chance in 1902 while quarrying stone, prompting immediate efforts to preserve it. Following this discovery, the chambers were gradually prepared for public access and protection.
The cave was shaped by water dissolving limestone over millions of years, creating the hollow spaces we see today. Visitors can observe the underground streams that continue to flow through and reshape these chambers.
Guided tours last about 45 minutes and cover the main areas of the system. Temperatures stay around 13°C (55°F) year-round, so bringing a light jacket or sweater is important for comfort.
The cave contains balance pillars and rock cones that resemble natural sculptures, shaped over millions of years through crystallization processes. These unusual formations make the site geologically distinct from many other caves.
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