After getting into the water by canyoning and familiarizing yourself with the air with tree climbing, the tourist office is testing caving in Bugey (Ain), near Lyon.
Speleology: the photo story of the tourist office
The Office community takes on caving
With great power of information comes great responsibility for discovery. This is why Pérouges Bugey Tourisme has brought together its bravest adventurers. The Office community has therefore answered the call. Their mission: to test caving to let them all know! Plunge into the bowels of the earth, towards Moria... Finally, the cave of Torcieu in the Bugey massif. Come on, caver – the hearts*!
The protagonists
Franck, great caving master. Nickname: Franck, the grey.
Véronique, interior travel guide.
Franck leads the exploration without any danger thanks to his knowledge of the caves of Bugey. His knowledge of rocks and cave-dwelling animals is endless. Thanks to him, the underground journey should go smoothly. He is accompanied by his companion Véronique, the caving shaman. High priestess in hypnosis, for another inner journey, in the heart of the cave.
Chapter 1: The Office Company Prepares
For any adventure, you need the right equipment. Our heroes and heroines are therefore preparing to face: carabiner, check. Harness. Check. Helmet. OKAY. For the little corner, it's now or never. Because the full caving suit is practical level knight armor.
Chapter 2: On the adventure companions!
Direction - not Helm's Deep - but the Pissoir cave. Admittedly, the name does not sound epic but the places are very beautiful. A small climb well assured by Franck and here we are at the entrance of the cavity.
First test, find the password… No, we're kidding. Even if Vincent, the mischievous goblin, tries a “Bugey ramekin! ». That said, it is true that tasting one of these fragrant cheeses inside would send the message: run away, poor fools!
“Speak friends and enter,” says the inscription on the door of a legendary underground city. As our office community is a tight-knit group, we are immediately granted entry.
The opening to the cave is a pocket large enough to stand all together. Don't worry to start. The progression is easy, just bend down.
Chapter 3: Journey to the Center of the Middle Earth of Ain
Gradually, the ceiling goes down. The black becomes denser, lit only by the halos of the lamps. The astonished and joyful voices resound on the limestone. We are now in a room with a cathedral ceiling. The silence is pleasant, nothing reaches us anymore from the outside.
Franck explains the underworld to us. The limestone cave dates from the Cretaceous, approximately less 65 million years. The heroes of the day are less clever when they realize the age of this stone lady.
As for the inhabitants of the place, it seems that nothing too bad lives here… Even if Sabrina the dwarf was no longer too bold in front of the troglodyte spiders. Of course, our friends the bats stand guard. It is enough to pass without noise, without lighting them, so as not to annoy them.
Chapter 4: You Shall Not Pass!
The team continues. In the end, all is well, caving isn't that complicated, say the merry friends. When suddenly…
In the hollow of a gut, the water has invaded the bottom of the cavity. To pass, the community will have to show courage! Frozen, murky water stands between them and the rest of their mission. Never mind, everyone wets the wetsuit. With more or less grace...
With all this, the team begins to freak out. Deprivation of light, noise and soaked feet does not do any good for some acolytes.
However, mutual aid is required in the office community. That's also why caving is good, it's nice, it serves as a team building. An original opportunity to strengthen its team cohesion. Or leave the underperforming elements behind!
Chapter 5: The secrets of caving. Who says cave, says treasure...
The exploration continues. A narrow toboggan-like passage stands in the way. But nothing that stops our heroes. Laughter and squirms for the troop who are now almost on their knees. Here is soon the end of the passage. Franck explains that it would be difficult to continue for the novices that we are. The return rang...
Before turning back, time to silent pause absolute black. A disturbing experience for the senses. Far underfoot, the murmur of an underground river. In such a setting, it is inevitable, a treasure must rest in these places!
Franck specifies that by crawling, it is possible to see fossils caught in the rock. HAHA! It's not dragon gold, but it's something! "Let's send Sab the dwarf to scout, she's small and we can always replace her", jokes the congregation. At the cost of a series of bruises, fossils, molluscs, oyster shells and stalactites offer themselves to the gaze of the most daring.
Chapter 6: Homecoming
The adventurers are delighted, their mission is coming to an end. On the way back, the second passage of the flooded corridor finished refreshing the spirits.
To enjoy the atmosphere of the place a little more, Véronique plunges the cathedral-like room into complete darkness and sings vibratory songs.
OOOooooHHHHMMMMmmm, OOooooHHHHmmmm, what mystical entity will our heroes be able to summon?
The troops' combi-armors being soaked, Véronique will not continue hypnosis. Other valiant warriors will be able to live this experience of unusual caving.
Chapter 7: This way to the exit!
The light ! The exit is straight ahead. But one last test awaits our carefree troop: a zip line descent ! Attached to a rope, our heroes must dash over a precipice filled with snakes and jellyfish. Finally, above the creek, what...
But don't worry, as a good experienced guide, Frandalf supervises the maneuver of the community. One by one, the adventurers set off, full of grace and courage.
Hmm, finally everyone does as they can...
Epilogue: towards new adventures
This is a perfect adventure! Caving mixes the unusual, the unexpected and the challenges. In the specific case, even, like any good story, a budding love affair between the goblin and the guide… shhh
The office community is now ready to inform visitors curious about discovering the caves and chasms of Bugey. They know everything about caving.
Another victory for the office, the world is at peace, the mission is accomplished. Tourists will be able to tackle the terrible hook cave ! To go there ? That is, second star to the right, and straight ahead until morning.
Travel diary: practical caving information
- Frank Paris, Canyon Taupe, qualified instructor, accompanies you in complete relaxation and safety in your crazy discovery of caving in Bugey.
- Véronique works as a traveling naturopath between Pérouges and Bugey.
- The perfect activity for a stay with friends. Birthday or bachelor party, original and fun. A real surprise in team building For Your Business.
- If your basic profile is more "water" than "earth", Franck also introduces you to canyoning.
- Take a solid water bottle (not glass!). Closed shoes, in the event of a flooded corridor, if they are not afraid of water, that's a plus. All the rest of the caving equipment is provided.
*the community specifies that it dissociates itself from this heartbreaking pun...
And as a bonus, good tips from Franck: Today, the house washing station!
