Abîme de Cruis

Abîme de Cruis is a former karst chasm perched just above the village of Cruis, at the foot of the Montagne de Lure massif in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. What remains today is a modest hollow in the ground, yet for centuries this spot stirred fear and fascination across Provence.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The chasm opens north of the village, on the slopes of Lure, near an old sheepfold known as jas Andrieu. This is classic Monts de Vaucluse terrain — limestone hillsides riddled with fissures and sinkholes. The site sits along the hiking routes linking Cruis with Notre-Dame de Lure, so the most practical way to reach it is on foot as part of a longer walk through the massif. By car, you can only get as far as the village itself; the rest of the way is a hike.

What is the story behind this place?

The chasm has been known for a very long time — it already appears on the Cassini map under the name "trou de l'Abime" (the abyss hole). Its real fame, however, dates from the 18th century, when local explorers began investigating its depths. Toward the end of that century, a certain Verdet d'Ongles descended to 66 metres and described his observations as remarkable. In 1790 the chasm was recorded at a depth of 63 to 66 metres. A century later, in 1888, it was described as a spectacular pit measuring 66 metres in circumference and 33 metres deep.

Why has the cave nearly disappeared?

The story of Abîme de Cruis is really the story of its slow burial. When the celebrated speleologist E.-A. Martel arrived in 1892, he found the chasm already partly filled — the alluvium floor sat at just 12 metres down. From the late 18th century onward, local farmers had been systematically plugging karst openings on their grazing land, even throwing whole trees into the hole. Two concerns drove this: the risk of people or livestock falling in, and fear of contaminating groundwater, since the opening was also used to dispose of dead animals. Today the chasm is estimated to be only about 4 metres deep.

What legends surround it?

Abîme de Cruis has gathered local lore for centuries. One story tells of a shepherd who, on a dark night, fell into the chasm along with his entire flock — his staff reportedly turned up later at the famous Fontaine de Vaucluse spring, suggesting an underground water link between the two sites. Another tradition claims women accused of adultery were once thrown into the pit. The place was also said to breathe a constant, mysterious draft of wind from its depths — a phenomenon typical of deep karst caverns, where pressure and temperature differences create a natural airflow.

What will you actually see today?

Little remains of the once-fearsome chasm — a shallow, overgrown depression that tells you more about the site's history than its present appearance. For anyone interested in karst landscapes and the geological history of the region, it's still a worthwhile stop, showing how nature and human intervention together reshaped a landscape in little more than a century. It's best combined with a walk on the surrounding slopes of Lure, which open onto classic Provençal limestone scenery.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for a visit, when temperatures on the Lure slopes suit longer walks and the vegetation hasn't yet been baked dry by summer heat. In summer the route can get hot with little shade, so an early morning start is worthwhile.

Frequently asked questions

Can you still descend into Abîme de Cruis like a real cave? No — the chasm is mostly filled in, and its current depth is only around 4 metres, so there are no conditions here for actual caving.

Why was the chasm filled in? From the late 18th century, local farmers deliberately plugged the opening to prevent accidents to people and livestock, and to stop groundwater contamination, since the site was also used to dump dead animals.

What's the most famous legend tied to this place? The tale of a shepherd who fell into the chasm with his flock, whose staff later surfaced at the Fontaine de Vaucluse spring — hinting at an underground water connection between the two sites.

How do you get to Abîme de Cruis? On foot is best, along the trail linking the village of Cruis with Notre-Dame de Lure — the site lies on the slopes of the Montagne de Lure, close to the old jas Andrieu sheepfold.