Discovery of the cave 1813 (≈ 1813)
First identification of the natural cavity.
1904
Beginning of explorations
Beginning of explorations 1904 (≈ 1904)
Systematic explorations by Maurice Piroutet.
1936
Open to the public
Open to the public 1936 (≈ 1936)
Initial tourist development.
1975-1976
Major archaeological searches
Major archaeological searches 1975-1976 (≈ 1976)
Discovery of prehistoric occupations under the porch.
2011
Closure to the public
Closure to the public 2011 (≈ 2011)
Risks of collapse and disagreements on security.
2022
Proposed reopening
Proposed reopening 2022 (≈ 2022)
Planned rehabilitation and security.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Maurice Piroutet - Geologist
Exploring the cave in 1904.
Frédéric Poggia - Speleologist
Exploration of siphons (1990-2011).
Origin and history
The Planches cave, discovered in 1813 in the Jura massif, extends for almost 8 km in the heart of the remote Planches-près-Arbois. It has delivered prehistoric remains, notably under its entrance porch and in a nearby gallery, attesting to the occupation of the Upper Paleolithic at the Bronze Age. The cave, which was explored in 1904 by geologist Maurice Piroutet, was designed for tourism and opened to the public in 1936, before being closed in 2011 for safety reasons related to falls and risks of collapse.
Several archaeological excavation campaigns, including one in 1975-1976, revealed bronze age burials and lithic tools of the Neolithic and Upper Paleolithic. The speleological explorations, carried out by Frédéric Poggia between 1990 and 2011, allowed to map its siphons and its four galleries, including an active fuelling the Cuisance River. The cave, marked by a constant temperature of 12 °C and geological formations such as devil's pots, also houses rhinolophe bats.
The Planches cave illustrates the importance of the karst cavities of the Jura, both for their geological heritage and for their role in understanding prehistoric human occupations. Although closed since 2011 due to disagreements over its security, a reopening and redevelopment project was announced in 2022. Its history reflects the challenges of preserving tourism, scientific research and environmental constraints.
The excavations revealed a stratification of human occupations, with traces of the recent Bronze under the porch and older remains in depth. The cave, with its gypsum crystals and its corrosion phenomena of vaults, also offers a major geological interest. Studies, such as those published by Pierre Pétrequin or Béatrice Bonnivard, highlight its importance in the study of the prehistoric habitats of Franche-Comté.
