Caves have always intrigued people, and in the past caves had a useful role (for industry, growing things, quarrying and storing things…) and they offer great opportunities for touristic and cultural development.
Owners and local councils must, therefore, now consider the difficulties encountered in exploiting and managing these sites, especially in the realm of public safety.
Across Europe, isolated local initiatives have tried to solve these problems. It quickly became clear that in order to improve the management of these sites and thus to enhance them as much as possible, we needed to share the findings of the experts.
That’s why the Communauté d’Agglomération « Saumur Loire Développement » instigated the Cavesnetwork project within the framework of the Community Initiative Programme Interreg IIIC.
“Cavesnetwork” supports the pooling of expertise and good management practice, and the best possible exploitation of underground caves and cave dwellings.
The project will run from October 2005 to December 2006.