Trou des Nutons

Trou des Nutons is one of the best-known caves in the Furfooz Nature Reserve, set along the Lesse river a few kilometres from Dinant. Its name comes from local folklore about the nutons — small, mischievous dwarf-like creatures said to possess supernatural skills, who according to legend would carry out little pieces of craftwork for villagers overnight in exchange for food. This fairy-tale origin gives the site an immediately intriguing character, though the cave's real significance lies in its geology and archaeology.

What makes this cave geologically important?

Trou des Nutons marks the spot where the Lesse river disappears underground, beginning a subterranean course through the limestone hills of Furfooz. The river resurfaces nearby at the Trou de la Loutre, and together the two openings form a natural hydrological system typical of the karst landscapes found throughout this part of the Ardennes. A small, near-vertical rock opening leads into the limestone hillside, where flowing water has carved out passages and chambers over thousands of years.

What has been discovered inside the cave?

The greatest significance of Trou des Nutons comes from its role as an archaeological site dating to the Magdalenian period, part of the Upper Palaeolithic. The cave was inhabited by humans as far back as roughly 14,000 years ago, making it one of the most important traces of prehistoric human presence in the Lesse valley. In 1866 the site was excavated by Belgian archaeologist Edouard Dupont, in one of the earliest systematic digs carried out in the region. The excavation uncovered the remains of seventeen individuals, a discovery that sparked lively scientific debate at the time about the physical characteristics of the area's prehistoric inhabitants. Dupont's findings at Furfooz contributed to the development of Belgian prehistoric archaeology and are still referenced in scholarly literature on the Palaeolithic in Western Europe.

What should visitors know before going?

Trou des Nutons lies within the Furfooz Nature Reserve, an area shaped by a scenic bend of the Lesse, limestone outcrops and a network of walking trails. The cave is open to visitors today as one of the stops along the trail that runs through the reserve, alongside the area's other caves. Visitors can look into the small rock opening and see the exact spot where the river vanishes underground, while standing in a place of real importance for understanding how people lived during the last Ice Age.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name Trou des Nutons come from? It comes from the legendary nutons, nocturnal dwarf-like figures from regional folklore said to help villagers with small tasks in exchange for food.

How long ago did people live in this cave? Traces of habitation date back to the Magdalenian period, around 14,000 years ago.

Who carried out the archaeological research at Trou des Nutons? The 1866 excavation was led by Belgian archaeologist Edouard Dupont, who uncovered the remains of seventeen individuals.

Can the cave be visited independently? Yes, it lies within the Furfooz Nature Reserve and is accessible along the park's marked walking trails.