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The Grotto of the Demoiselles

1 - Our Earth consists of several layers. Deep inside is the very hot core. Above it lies the mantle, which is surrounded by the very thin crust. On average, it is only about 35 kilometres thick and consists of several large plates that constantly press against one another and shift. Seas and oceans form in the Earth's crust, mountains are folded up and eroded again over millions of years. Volcanoes form here, and earthquakes occur again and again as the Earth's plates move.

2 - These changes take place over long periods of time. Cavities also repeatedly form in the Earth’s crust, some deep underground and others just below the surface. Early humans used some of them to shelter from the weather and wild animals. Sometimes they left behind wonderful paintings. Other caves remained unknown for a long time.

3 - One of them is the Grotte des Demoiselles. It is in the south of France, about 38 kilometers north of Montpellier and on the edge of the Cévennes mountain region. It has a natural entrance consisting of a deep shaft. Halls and passageways surround a large central chamber. This Great Hall is 120 meters long, about 80 meters wide and 58 meters high. In French, “Demoiselles” refers to the fairies found in legends and fairy tales. So the name Grotte des Demoiselles can be translated as “Fairy Cave.”

4 - Water constantly seeps down through the cave. Countless drops form above every hollow and fall into the depths. Because this water contains acid or lime, it forms stalagmites and stalactites. They are sometimes also called dripstones. Stalagmites grow upwards from the ground, while stalactites grow downwards from the ceiling.

5 - Sometimes, wondrous shapes form like this. In the Great Hall of the Grotte des Demoiselles, a stalagmite has formed that resembles a Madonna and Child. The cave is damp, and the temperature stays at around 14 degrees Celsius. Thanks to the hall's remarkable acoustics, concerts are sometimes held there.

6 - A special entrance has been created for visitors. They take a cable car up a sloping shaft and then begin their tour on foot.