In Ariège, in the heart of the Pyrenees, in one of the French departments with the most caves and caverns, the Labouiche Underground River is a listed site.
Six kilometers from Foix, on the D1 departmental road, the Labouiche River has been open to the public since 1938.
Embark on a friendly tour 60 meters underground, covering a distance of 1,500 meters, which will amaze you with its wide variety of landscapes and geological riches.
Throughout the tour, the guide will discuss a wide range of topics, including geology and exploration, and will introduce you to formations with evocative names such as “The Witch” and “The Unicorn.”
A bit of history
The first serious explorations began in August 1908.
Dr. Dunac, a native of Fuxéen, accompanied by his two sons and two young officers, Leguiller and Rochette, ventured under the Aiguo-Perdent arch, followed the Flajel to its confluence, and discovered the underground river of Labouiche.
In November 1908, Edouard-Alfred Martel (1859-1938) entered Labouiche for the first time.
In 1938, Norbert Casteret, a French speleologist born in Saint-Gaudens, and Joseph Delteil made progress in their search for the river's source.
Passing through the upper galleries, they crossed the upstream vault and discovered 600 m of galleries leading to the current terminus, which consists of another wet vault, very narrow and over 20 meters deep.
In the 1950s, a total of 3,800 meters of galleries were discovered.
The boat tour lasts about 40 minutes.
Labouiche Underground River
09000 Vernajoul
Tel.: +33 (0)5 61 65 04 11
Translated with DeepL.com
(free version)
