Summer Expedition to the Jura, France.
27th July – 10th August 2019
Lead contact: Gary Vaughan
Phone: 07836 727131 E-Mail: gary@dorsetland.co.uk
Grotte des Faux-Monnayeurs
Length 1000m
GPS UTM 32T-0294030-5212040 500m
From Ornans, take the D67 south, through Mouthier-Haute-Pierre. 2km beyond park in a layby on the left, opposite a sign giving directions to the cave. Follow a path down through the woods towards the river. The entrance, which is marked on the map, is reached after 10 minutes. A fixed metal ladder ascends to the cave. A relatively easy horizontal cave, popular with tourists. A visit to this cave could be incorporated into an interesting circular caving walk around the Gorge de Nouailles, along with Grotte de Nouailles, Source du Pontet, Baume Archee and Source de la Loue.
The 10m fixed ladder leads directly into
the impressive entrance passage (4m wide x 3m high). This is followed
in a rising passage for 100m, to a junction with a gallery up to the left.
This leads steeply for 115m up to a second entrance (Grotte de la Vielle
Roche) located 35m above the main entrance. The main passage continues
over rubble for 200m and descends to a fairly deep pool, which can be
passed carefully using a fixed wire. Beyond this the passage rises to
a high point in a breakdown chamber. Several uninspiring rifts and tubes
lead off from here, but all close down after a short distance. A little
further down the valley side, the rising can be explored. Another fixed
ladder gains the very impressive entrance to the Grotte or Source du Pontet,
which is often dry but can only be followed for a few metres to a sump.
Updated 01.11.18