First human occupation 45 000 ans av. J.-C. (≈ 100 av. J.-C.)
Traces of the Moustarian in the cave.
35 millions d'années
Formation of the cave
Formation of the cave 35 millions d'années (≈ 500)
Start of geological formation of the network.
1854
First documented exploration
First documented exploration 1854 (≈ 1854)
Jules de Malbos explores and describes the cave.
1952
Discovery and development
Discovery and development 1952 (≈ 1952)
Christian Bouquet co-discovers and arranges the cave.
1967
Open to the public
Open to the public 1967 (≈ 1967)
The cave becomes a major tourist site.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Jules de Malbos - Geologist and speleologist
First explorer documented in 1854.
Christian Bouquet - Co-discoverer and designer
Contributed to the tourist opening in 1952.
Origin and history
The Cocalière Cave, located in the commune of Courry (Gard), opens at the foot of the Cevennes National Park, a world biosphere reserve. This underground network of more than 14 km, including 1 km accessible to the public, formed 35 million years ago and continues to evolve under the influence of water and time. Its three natural and two artificial entrances make it a complex geological site, rich in stalactites, stalagmites and other calcite concretions, giving it the nickname of a diamond cave. The temperature is constant around 14 °C.
The exploration of the cave began in the mid-19th century, with members of the Société de Speleologie et Préhistoire Gard Ardèche (SSPGA). Jules de Malbos (1782-1867), a geologist and speleologist, was the first explorer whose writings, dating back to 1854, were preserved. Christian Bouquet, co-discoverer and co-developer of the cave in 1952, also played a key role in its development. The site reveals a dense human occupation, from the Moustarian (45,000 BC) to the Iron Age (400 BC).
Open to the public since 1967, the Cocallière Cave is now one of the Gard's most visited natural sites, with more than 120,000 annual visitors. The visit includes a reconstructed prehistoric excavation site and a small train return through the protected site. Around the cave, a discovery path crosses a Mediterranean karst, while nearby, the Païolive wood and the gorges of the Ardèche offer spectacular landscapes. Its tourist development makes it an emblematic place of French speleology.
