Grotte du Colombier

Grotte du Colombier is a Paleolithic cave in the commune of Labastide-de-Virac, within the Gorges de l'Ardèche in the Ardèche department of southern France. Its entrance opens on the right bank of the Ardèche river, at the foot of the Saleyron cliffs, roughly thirty metres above the water, a short distance from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.

Where exactly is the cave?

The site lies inside the protected boundary of the Gorges de l'Ardèche nature reserve. The cliff into which the entrance is cut rises straight up from the river, and that difficulty of access is one reason the engravings inside stayed undisturbed for so long before they were ever noticed.

How were the engravings found?

Two cavers, G. Claron and A. Crouzet, came across the engraved walls of one gallery in 1946. The following year, prehistorian André Glory carried out the first scientific survey of the site. Further studies followed from J. Combier in 1957, L. Chabredier in 1966, and Pierre Ollier de Marichard in 1972. A lower rock shelter belonging to the same complex was partly excavated by archaeologist A. Héritier between 1955 and 1960.

What is inside the cave?

The Colombier complex consists of three connected cavities: the main cave, known as Colombier 1, running about 300 metres, and two lower rock shelters - Colombier 2 and Colombier 3 - once used as sheepfolds and since heavily altered by erosion and long-term human use.

About fifty metres in from the entrance of the main cave, a single gallery holds finely worked engravings of large herbivores: an aurochs, two ibex, an animal thought to be a deer, the head of a doe, and one figure that cannot be identified with certainty. Abstract signs appear alongside them - striped ovals and short strokes. On one flow of stalagmitic rock, an engraver also carved a face with human-like features. The lines are so shallow that they are easy to miss without careful lighting. The engravings are dated to the Magdalenian, near the end of the Upper Paleolithic.

Can visitors go inside?

No. Grotte du Colombier is not open to the public. Access was shut down after damage was found on the engraved surfaces, and the entrance is now sealed behind a double gate set at the foot of a rockfall. Only researchers and holders of a special permit are allowed in. The cave was listed on France's register of monuments historiques in 1995, formal recognition of its scientific and heritage value.

Visitors to the area can still take in the setting from outside, enjoy the Gorges de l'Ardèche from the many viewpoints along the D290 scenic road, and visit other caves in the region that are open for public tours.

FAQ

Are there cave paintings inside Grotte du Colombier? No - the cave holds engravings, not paintings. Figures of animals and abstract signs were carved into the rock rather than painted onto it.

Who discovered the engravings? Cavers G. Claron and A. Crouzet found them in 1946; prehistorian André Glory documented the site scientifically the following year.

Is the cave legally protected? Yes, it has been listed on France's register of monuments historiques since 1995.

How big is the cave? The main gallery, Colombier 1, runs about 300 metres and sits above two smaller rock shelters, Colombier 2 and 3.

Can the cave entrance be seen from outside? The opening is visible at the base of the Saleyron cliffs, though the interior stays locked behind a gate and is off-limits without authorization.