Camping near the Chauvet 2 cave, in Ardèche.

The Chauvet 2 cave or the Pont d'Arc cave.

December 18, 1994..

It's a Sunday. Equipped with flashlights, Jean-Marie Chauvet, Éliette Brunel and Christian Hillaire set off down the narrow passage they had discovered a few months earlier. The trio climbs meter after meter. Progress is difficult. The three cavers get stuck several times before reaching the ceiling of a large gallery. This winter expedition was to change the course of their lives. It is Éliette who discovers the first drawing on the walls: two small lines in red ochre. The trio goes from discovery to discovery. In the beam of their lamp appeared representations of cave lions, woolly rhinoceroses, mammoths, bears, megaceroses, owls, horses... and animated frescoes! With the agreement of the French Ministry of Culture, he decided to name the cave"Chauvet". Éliette and Christian were not forgotten, as two large rooms in the cave were named "Salle Brunel" and "Salle Hillaire".

The vent of the Combe d'Estre

The Chauvet-Pont d'Arccave is located in the Combe d'Estre, near the Pont d'Arc and the River Ardèche. In prehistoric times, the cave entrance was 8m high and 15m wide. Situated in the middle of the cliff, a hundred meters above the ground, it was visible from afar. If the cave's drawings have been so well preserved, it's thanks to the collapse of the upper cliff 22,000 years ago, which definitively blocked its access. Without the discovery of a vent in the heart of the cliff, the cave and its treasures would probably never have been discovered. The temperature in the caves is constant, summer and winter: 13° C. In winter, when temperatures are negative, cavers look for warm air currents or vents, proof of the existence of large underground galleries behind the rock. And so it is with the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave.

A global shock

The discovery of the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave was a worldwide event. In France and the rest of the world, Lascaux in the Dordogne was the reference cave. Yet as much time has elapsed between Lascaux and the present day (18,000 years) as between Lascaux and Chauvet, whose drawings date back 36,000 years! In addition to its age, theArdèche grotto is distinguished from other caves by the beauty of its drawings and engravings, the remarkable technical mastery of its artists, and its incredible bestiary with 14 animals depicted, most of them dangerous mammals. For example, it has the highest concentration of felines (80) and rhinoceroses (72) in the world. Last but not least, the animal frescoes drawn on the rock tell stories, and could be considered the beginnings of cartoons or comic strips!

The unesco world heritage site

The Great Wall of China. The pyramids of Egypt. The archaeological site of Olympia in Greece. India's Taj Mahal. Mont Saint Michel in France. Easter Island and its giant statues in Chile... and the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave. Since June 22, 2014, the jewel of ardéchois cave art has been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. With this recognition, the cave has entered the Pantheon of universal heritage and confirms its status as an artistic masterpiece and a unique testimony to the history of mankind. The cave was closed to the public as soon as it was discovered, to prevent any deterioration, hence the decision to create the Caverne du Pont-d'Arc to enable everyone to enjoy it without risk!
The Caverne du Pont d'Arc is open every day, all year round, and is close to the Les Truffiéres campsite, which is open all year round!

Les Truffières campsite in Ardèche and the Chauvet 2 cave are two must-see sites for nature and history lovers. Located in the south of France, in the Ardèche region, Les Truffières campsite is an ideal place for outdoor vacations. Surrounded by forests, mountains and rivers, this campsite offers a peaceful and tranquil setting for holidaymakers in search of relaxation and nature. The campsite offers pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, as well as rental accommodation such as chalets and mobile homes for families or groups.

In addition to outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing and swimming, holidaymakers can also discover the local culture and traditions by visiting the surrounding villages and sampling the local cuisine.

Another attraction not to be missed is Grotte Chauvet 2, located close to the campsite. This cave is famous for its cave paintings dating back over 36,000 years, considered to be the oldest in the world. Visitors can explore the cave on a guided tour and immerse themselves in the history and culture of this archaeological marvel.

In conclusion, Les Truffières campsite in Ardèche and the Chauvet 2 cave are ideal destinations for nature and history lovers. With its many activities and attractions, this corner of France offers an unforgettable stay for holidaymakers of all ages.

Chauvet 2 cave address: Route de Vallon-Pont d'Arc 07140 Vallon-Pont-d'Arc

Telephone number: 04 75 88 76 76

Opening hours of the Caverne du Pont d'Arc

January: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
February / March : 10am - 6pm
April / May / June: 10am - 7pm
July / August: 9am - 8:30pm
September: 10am - 7pm
October / November (until the 14th): 10am - 6pm
November (from the 15th) / December: 10am - 5pm

All information on http://www.cavernedupontdarc.fr/