Grotte des Ferrières

This cave is rich in stalactites and stalagmites. It delights the underground explorer who takes the time to contemplate these crystalline frescoes. The Ferrie`res cave has been studied above all for its subterranean fauna and ecology.

The Latin word for ferrie`re is ferraria, which in ancient times meant the location of an iron mine and the side'rurgic exploitation of its deposit. This name can be found in various parts of France, where there were iron quarries or factories. The name Grotte des Ferrie`res probably derives from this origin. Today, we can find no trace of any "industrial" or "artisanal" exploitation of this ore, and the first records of the cave date back to 1882. The famous founder of speleology, Alfred-E'douard Martel, mentioned it in 1897. The last explorations were carried out by the Spe'le'o-Club du Vercors in 1946.