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🏛️ DepartmentGard (30)
📍 VillageMontclus
📌 Cave GPS44.252292, 4.440708 ↗
🅿️ Parking GPSNot confirmed
↕ Max. depth−128 m (2002)
↔ Development1.443 m (historisch)
🗺️ SurveyView survey ↓
Character of Source de la Marnade
Source de la Marnade is a deep karst spring near Montclus in the Gard, close to Ardèche. The system combines long underwater passages with dry galleries and an exceptionally deep third sump.
Historical descriptions give S1 (362 m, −33 m), S2 (126 m, −6 m) and S3 (390 m, −128 m on the February 2002 survey). Dry passages connect the sumps, including a section of approximately 247 m. Total development was historically listed as 1,443 m.
Exploration dates back to the twentieth century. The first two sumps were investigated further in 1979. Deeper exploration of S3 followed in the 1990s; in February 2002 an international expedition led by Jérôme Meynié reached approximately −128 m. These are historical exploration records, not a current dive route.
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🗺️ Source de la Marnade survey
Longitudinal profile from the international expedition of February 2002 showing S1, S2 and S3 down to −128 m. Historic reference only; not suitable for navigation.
Survey: February 2002 international expedition, based on earlier surveys by the credited explorers.
This is historic survey material; the original credits are retained. Do not use as a current navigation survey.
🗺️ Location
Montclus, Gard (30), France
ℹ️ Practical information
🚗ParkingNo verified parking coordinates available.
🚶AccessHistoric directions: from Montclus along the right bank of the Cèze on an unpaved track toward the spring. Check current conditions.
🚧Land / gateThe supplied source mentions a gate protecting farmland. Close gates and respect crops and private property; current access rules are unverified.
🌊ConditionsFlow and visibility can vary; clay deposits in S1 and extreme depth in S3.
⚠️PermissionCurrent diving permission and access have not been confirmed. Check locally before visiting.
🛵DPVYes, historic use is evidenced by the supplied photo showing scooters; current rules are unconfirmed.
📚 Sources & attribution
- Supplied “Source MARNADE” document — historic description, access and exploration.
- “Marnade – Internationale Expedition, February 2002” survey — distances, depths and participants.
- Supplied photographs — spring and DPV equipment.
- FFS – Source de la Marnade
Spring GPS supplied by the website owner: 44.252292, 4.440708. Historic data and access arrangements may have changed.
