Authentication of route 1947 (≈ 1947)
André Glory authenticates the rock drawings.
2015
Discovery of flint tools
Discovery of flint tools 2015 (≈ 2015)
Tools found in an adjacent cavity.
15 mai 2017
Site protection
Site protection 15 mai 2017 (≈ 2017)
Registration as a Historic Monument.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The cave called Grotte du Bouchon, as indicated on the plan annexed to the decree (Box F 560 and 40): inscription by order of 15 May 2017
Key figures
André Glory - Prehistory
Authenticated the drawings in 1947.
Origin and history
The Bouchon Cave, classified as a Historic Monument, is distinguished by its traces discovered and authenticated in 1947 by André Glory. In the deep part of the main gallery, very effaced orange red lines evoke animals like a bouquet or a bison, as well as oval signs. These representations, attributed to the Upper Paleolithic, suggest an ancient occupation of the site, reinforced by later archaeological discoveries.
In 2015, an adjacent cavity revealed a flint tooling, confirming the chronological attribution of the drawings. The cave, protected by decree of 15 May 2017, belongs to the commune of Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. Its location, near the gorges of the Ardèche, makes it a rare testimony of parietal art in this region.
The drawings, although very erased, offer an overview of the artistic techniques and symbolic concerns of Paleolithic populations. Their style and theme fit into the wider context of European rock art, while presenting local particularities. The cave remains an object of study to understand the lifestyles and cultural expressions of this distant era.
