Gouffre Jean-Bernard, Alpine cave system in Samoëns, France
The Gouffre Jean-Bernard is an extensive cave system carved through limestone in the French Alps. Multiple passages and chambers interconnect throughout the mountain, with entrances scattered across different elevations in the surrounding terrain.
The first entrance was discovered in 1959 by members of the French speleology group Groupe Vulcain. The system became known through subsequent expeditions that mapped its extensive passages and surveyed its major features.
The Groupe Vulcain maintains detailed documentation of all explored sections and encourages international collaboration for ongoing cave system research.
Exploring this system requires speleology experience and specialized equipment for safe navigation. Certain sections may have restricted access depending on seasonal water levels and conditions.
The system features multiple separate entrances scattered around the mountain at different locations. The highest entrance sits at a significant elevation within the Alpine landscape.
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