Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The caves of Las Fons and Moulin, located in the municipality of Bize-Minervois in the department of Aude (Occitanie), form a remarkable archaeological complex. Classified as historical monuments since 24 August 1931, these cavities are protected for their heritage value and archaeological deposit. Their access has been prohibited to the public since 1996 because of their crucial role in the conservation of endangered species of bats, including the Mehely rhinolophe, which was rediscovered on the site in 1980 after having been considered extinct since 1963.

The Las Fons Cave is home to a diverse colony of bats, including large rhinolophs, Schreibers minioptera and Capaccini murins. These species, protected by a 1996 European Decree, motivated the closure of the site to preserve their natural habitat. The cave of the Moulin, adjacent and classified simultaneously, shares this vocation of sanctuary for underground fauna, while maintaining an archaeological interest not detailed in the available sources.

Administratively, the caves belong to the municipality of Bize-Minervois and are referenced in the base Mérimée under the code cadastral B 120. Their precise location, although documented (GPS coordinates available), is not publicly disclosed for reasons of protection. Official sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight their dual status: historical heritage and ecological reservoir of regional and European importance.

External links