Karst Days 2025

Excursion organized by the French Karstology Association

Dates: Friday, September 19, Saturday, September 20, and Sunday, September 21

Location: Northern Vercors: Sassenage, Autrans, Villard de Lans, Saint Nizier

Accommodation: https://centrelevercors.org/

If there is one iconic French karst, it is the Vercors massif. A vast limestone formation perched above Grenoble, the Vercors has undergone several phases of karstification over millions of years. Recently, research has been undertaken as part of a thesis currently being finalized (Vivien Mai-Yung-Sen), which is providing new insights into the northern part of this massif. At the same time, recent explorations have been conducted in the vast Sornin complex (Berger chasm, Fromagère chasm), confirming the speleological and karstic interest of this emblematic massif in the French Prealps. The aim is to present this research and these new findings at the annual conference of the French Karstology Association. The conference will take place entirely in the field and will include several cave visits.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.

Standard price: €150

Reduced price (students, master's students, PhD students, post-docs): €75

The price includes access to all sites and full board from Friday 19 September at 7pm to Sunday 21 September at 2pm, i.e. two evening meals, two nights' accommodation with breakfast and two lunches. The price does not include the picnic on Friday 19 September (please bring your own).

To register, you must have a ScienceConf account (or create one) and fill in the form (Registration tab on the left). Payment can be made on the AzurColloque platform by clicking here:

https://uga.azur-colloque.fr/inscription/fr/244/inscription

Program:

Friday, September 19

Theme: History, caving exploration, and large karst networks

Visit to the Cuves de Sassenage, climb up Mont Molière, round trip hike on the Sornin and the Berger cave

Saturday, September 20

Theme: Ancient karstification and incision of the Bourne Gorges

Roche Cave/Window 4, Favot Cave

Sunday, September 21 – Karst and Quaternary glaciation

Panorama of the Ours Canyon from Villard de Lans.

Saint-Nizier Plateau, Guillets Moraine, panorama of the Vorreppe Cluse and Curé Canyon

Practical information about the caves visited and surface sites

For caves visited on Saturdays. Grotte Roche is an easy cave requiring only horizontal progression through scree. Fenêtre 4 requires a 60 m climb on an easy path, a little crawling in the entrance area and climbing over a short 3 or 4 m ledge (which we will equip, but no equipment is required). The Favot cave requires a slightly longer approach along a steeper mountain path. The descent from the large entrance gallery will be protected by a handrail. This obstacle can be negotiated without special equipment, but those who wish to do so may bring a harness (or belt) and two lanyards. We will bring some with us in any case, which can be lent out. In all cases, please bring helmets with lights, caving suits and good shoes. We can lend helmets and lights if necessary, please contact us.