Classification : Historic Monument / NATURA 2000 / Classified site / SNA Managing
Organization : Regional Department of Archeology Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Syndicate of Management of the Ardèche Gorges
Presentation :
Heritage of the earth and men
The first cavity cited in the bibliography, the Déroc cave has always aroused curiosity and interest. Easy to access, it is part of a remarkable group of cavities on the left bank of the Ibie river, bounded to the north by the Estrèche stream and to the south by the Ardèche.
Scientific or educational interests :
Geomorphology : The Déroc cave bears witness to an ancient underground loop in the Ardèche, as can still be seen from certain detrital fillings.
Archeology : classified as a historic monument, the Déroc cave is known for its “treasure” exposed at the City of Prehistory. But the Déroc cave and its neighbors have many other vestiges, notably paleontological.
Biology : the Déroc cave is also used by the largest wintering colony of Mediterranean horseshoe bats in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. Consequently, the cavity is prohibited from November 1 to April 15.
Available datasets :
Frequentation of the cavity by an eco-meter.
Thematic key words : archeology, biology, cartography, climatology, geography, sedimentary geology, geomorphology, (pre)-history, impact on tourist numbers, karstology, paleoclimatology, paleontology, landscapes, 3D digitization topology
Keywords typology of sites : natural non-instrumented cave, archaeological site
Access modalities :
Annual ban from November 1 to April 15.
Cavities which are not fitted out for tourism are classified in a specific environment by the Sports Code (R212-7).
Also, supervision groups outside the touristic circuits of furnished cavities requires specific skills, certified by a diploma (professional issued by the State or federal issued by the French Federation of Speleology).
Possible support :
Technical support during your outings underground by the Departmental Speleology Committee allows you to have :
- skills to ensure group security,
- standard and maintained speleology equipment (helmet with electric lighting, coveralls, harness, etc.),
- scientific materials according to your needs (topographic survey, conductivity meter, multi-gas detector, temperature and pressure recording probes, etc.),
- documentation on the sector or the cavity (topography, bibliography, possibly a data set of the monitoring carried out),
- in-depth knowledge of the places in order to optimally implement your project