Grotte du Chien, Natural cave and tourist attraction in Chamalières, France
Grotte du Chien is a natural basalt cave in Chamalières that extends about 10 meters into the rock. Carbon dioxide gas naturally accumulates inside, creating distinctive conditions within the chamber.
The cave was first documented in 1787 by writer Pierre Jean-Baptiste Legrand d'Aussy. Doctor Petit acquired it in 1875 and transformed it into a tourist destination.
The cave takes its name from a famous natural site near Naples where similar gas phenomena occur. This connection reflects how Europeans shared knowledge about unusual natural places.
The site is currently managed by the municipality of Chamalières and remains closed to visitors. This closure is due to safety concerns related to gas levels inside.
A stone bench inside carries the name 'banc des belles-meres,' placed deliberately in areas with higher gas concentrations. This playful naming reveals how visitors once interacted with this curious natural space.
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