France – Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine – Giant Chasm
The Giant Chasm of Cabrespine is one of the 10 most beautiful caves in Europe, with its depth of 250 meters and a volume of 1,600,000 m³. It’s a breath taking experience.
When we were staying in Carcassonne, we rented a car and visited caves in the region, especially the Cave of Niaux, where we saw cave paintings made sixteen thousand years ago, which were impressive beyond description. I can agree with Picasso who upon seeing these paintings said “In 15,000 years, we have invented nothing”. The way these people used the curves of the wall to express the belly of the animal, or a crack as the tail of a bison, was magic. Seen in the torch light these horses, bison, and goats would come alive, I have no doubts.
We were used to having a tour guide that would walk us into the cave system and take everyone out safely and make sure nothing is damaged. But in the Chasm of Cabrespine when we were given an audio guide and sent towards the entrance, we were surprised. We didn’t have an idea what was in store for us.
No video can make the grandeur of the chasm justice, you have to be inside to feel its immensity.