Ruud Streefkerk

We are here in the Grotte des Demoiselles, located in the valley of the Hérault in the Cevennen in southern France. The cave is named like this (‘des Demoiselles’ meaning ‘of the Ladies’) because of various sculptures of the Virgin Mary, that might  be discerned with a little imagination in the dripping stones. It consists of several contiguous large spaces (called 'cathedrals' by the guides) in which naturally formed stalactites and stalagmites can be seen. A stalactite develops where drops of water seep through the roof of the cave, the stalagmite grows on the bottom where the drops fall. They grow a few centimeters per century. When stalactite and stalagmite touch each other a column is formed. A small train carries the visitors into the cave, after which one can follow a concrete-covered route with various observation-platforms, accompanied by a guide.