It is probably the most beautiful cave on earth, considered by many to be a refuge of wonders, including very elaborate but fragile columns like crystal, decorated with shapes similar to petrified leaves.
Aven Armand cave
Starting in 1833 it was Edouard Alfred Martel, then a world-renowned scientist as well as an alpinist and expert speleologist, who dedicated in-depth studies and research to the limestone plateau of the Causses, in the Central Massif of France.
He discovered marvelous caves, important from a geological, physical, biological and paleontological point of view.
In September 1897, Martel's assistant, Louis Armand, ventured to explore the chasm called Aven de Bertras.
Arriving in the vast underground room, he found himself immersed in an astonishing environment and invited Martel to join him.
This cavity opened, through a vertical well 75 meters long, on the limestone plateau of Mejean.
The well ended in the vault of a 45 degree inclined nave, 100 meters long, 55 wide and with an average height of 40 meters.
At the lower end of this room, a new vertical well went up to a depth of 210 meters, closed at the bottom by a debris cap.
It is the Great Hall that constitutes the exceptional part of the cave, with a scenario similar to a petrified forest that develops under its vaults, composed of stalagmites, four hundred calcite columns placed a short distance from each other.
Their particular shape perfectly matches the extreme density of their stems to create a fantastic environment.
Located in the municipality of Hures la Parade, Lozère, the Aven Armand cave can be reached via a municipal road connected to the national road 586.
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Since 1927, the Dolina Armand has been adapted to tourist needs with the construction of some works, including a refreshment cloister and a funicular to reach the Great Hall, from which a staircase with a handrail that allows you to move through the whole petrified forest.
The multicolored lighting amplifies the beauty of this unreal scenario.
The Dolina Armand, which inherited the name from Martel's collaborator who discovered it, is certainly one of the most beautiful underground places internationally.
