The Story of Our Journey To The Cave of San Marcel or Simple Water

Before writing a post, I wondered whether to tell or not about the cave I visited last Sunday. After all, recently wrote about the cave de Tuzon and maybe everyone is tired of the stalactite photos? Then I decided, I will search on Yandex, if there is not enough information, I will write. In the end, this place is decent and going to Provence is supposed to be interesting.

To be honest, myself, when the husband announces his plans for the weekend, has no enthusiasm for exploring other caves. But he assured me:

• The first: inside this cave there is a very unusual underground waterfall;
• The Second: we were invited to lunch at Valence and this stop would be along the way;
• third: You need to buy some wine boxes at Cave de Tain, which is 15 km from Valence.

Actually, I agree with kipish, just not to sit at home. We leave early to catch the first excursion (as we think) at ten zero-zero. Due to this, cars are expensive and do not even provide beautiful photos of Pont-Saint-Esprit. And it may get better, the city is worth a visit separately.

Upon arrival, it turns out all this busyness is in vain - at ten there is only a shop with souvenirs and cafes. This guide will be ready by 10:30. The price in the cafe for the surprise was not high, we took coffee for one and a half euro. So, if you are in these parts, you can fully eat a snack. The ticket itself is 11 €, and do not forget the warm sweater, at a temperature below 13-15 ° C.

Down to the cave along the endless staircase is already impressive. And after they got off, the guides opened the iron doors and turned on the lights, my excitement was endless. I have never seen such beauty.

The cave was "washed" at the peak of Messinsky salinity, when the Mediterranean Sea dried up for thousands of years, and then during the months filled with water.

And the water riots here remind us of the "holes" in the wall. As we have explained, the shape depends on the speed of the moving water layer.

In 2015, 57 km galleries are explored. Some of them are used for wine picking, 600 m is available to visit tourists. Ancient people used this wall to draw. This is a copy of a deeper cave lining, where curious people are not allowed.

Then the guide goes on a long-known habit: "Look over here - here some people see the Virgin Mary with the baby in her arms, on the contrary - an altar, that's it, but here it is." I walked with difficulty at the end and did not listen to take photos without people in the frame.

Very quickly we were in "the most interesting". To check it turns out this is not a waterfall, but a "bathing" system. Backlighting is done by the lights only in white, and the color difference of water is achieved by the depth of their location.

Further "Cathedral" and "Angel". Here we are shown a show of music and light.

After that, we go down to the foot of the cathedral, where there are many gaps where you can see other cave levels. Feeling great, you feel like a rat in Maasdam.

On the way home, another light show. I just do not believe that this effect can only be achieved by white lights. What is the color of the water?

On my way out of the cave, I wanted to climb "along the great stone path" (le chemin de la Grosse Pierre). The trail is 2.8 km from the megalithic ruins (Dolmen, menhirs, and the like), but I was dragged into the car.
thank you for reading and taking part in this traveling