Period of human occupation Paléolithique supérieur (≈ 1505000 av. J.-C.)
Archaeological vestiges dated from that time.
Mars 1996
Discovery of the cave
Discovery of the cave Mars 1996 (≈ 1996)
Identification of the decorated archaeological site.
21 juin 1999
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 21 juin 1999 (≈ 1999)
Official registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Part (0, 77 ha) of Parcel D 572: Registration by Order of 21 June 1999
Key figures
A. Lucante - Author of a description (1880)
40 m long.
Origin and history
The Mongautin Cave is a cave decorated with the Upper Paleolithic, discovered in March 1996 in the commune of Prat-Bonrepaux, in the department of Ariège (Occitanie). It is located at the western end of the department, near the Haute-Garonne, in a karst complex developed over 2.4 km2. Its speleological network exceeds 4 km in length, with geological features such as slow flow speeds (7 m/h).
The cave, whose entrance is narrow (40 m in length according to A. Lucante in 1880), dominates the brook of the Gouarège, tributary of the Salat. It delivered archaeological remains and houses two species of cavernical beetles reported in 1880: Anophthalmus cerberus and Anophthalmus orpheus. Nearby, other prehistoric sites such as the caves of Peyort, Marsoulas and Volp reinforce its archaeological interest.
Ranked a historic monument by decree of 21 June 1999, the Mongautin Cave is part of the Regional Natural Park of the Ariegean Pyrenees. Its protected perimeter covers 0.77 ha of Parcel D 572, near an old quarry. Although private and communal property, its access and visit remain restricted, reflecting its heritage and scientific importance.
