AN EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY !

According to local farming traditions, vines were planted along low stone walls. Theses walls were erected to prevent rain erosion and wheat was sowed between the stones that formed them.

As he was vigorously striking with his pickaxe to remove bulky stones and struggling to plant his vines, Léon DOZOL suddenly discovered a bottomless pit. That proved to be an lucky and convenient natural dump to dispose of rocks and dirt accumulating in his field. For three years, Léon DOZOL discarded stones in the pit, until he decided to explore it. Armed with shovels, hemp ropes and candles, a group of men penetrated into the opening. Their first task was to remove the tons of stones and dirt that had been dumped in over the three previous years.

The unknown world they discovered was high over their expectations and the amazement encouraged the men to move forward into the gallery. The DOZOL cave was born!

With the help of friends and voluntary workers, the DOZOL family spent years without a break to set up a visiting tour for cave enthusiasts.

Significant improvements were carried out after World War II to allow wider acces to the caves and increase their appeal. The first guided tours - initially lit by candles and later by acetylene lamps - took place between November and the end of February, the less busy months of the farming season. The first visitors were mainly aristocrats who where spending the winter on the French Riviera.

A house - that is still standing today - was built next to the exit of the caves. Electricity was
brought to the house in 1925 and into the caves in 1926, revealing the magnificent beauty of yet unnoticed drapery formations and transparent patterns compositions.