The Caves of France Multiple Choice Quiz | Europe

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The "Grottes de Betharram" are some of the best caves in France, if not the world. They contain a large variety of formations, many of which have been given names. Which of the following is NOT a name given to such a formation?

Answer: Fish

The formations result from the many stalactites and stalagmites in the cave. Over thousands of years some of these have joined to form columns and other unusual shapes. The rate of growth in these particular caves is very slow - perhaps 1cm every 50 years.

Other formations include The Chimney, The Mummy and the 50m high Hall of Hell. The caves cover 5 different stories each formed over a different period.

2. On 12 September 1940 four teenagers made an important discovery of Paleolithic paintings in which caves near Montignac, Dordogne?

Answer: Lascaux

The caves are 16,000 years old and contain nearly 2000 figures of animals, humans and abstract. One drawing of a bull measures 17ft (5.2m). Since the year 2000 the caves have had problems with a fungus which is believed to have arisen due to the air conditioning system used.

The Chauvet caves in the Rh�ne-Alpes region actually contain older caves paintings; these are estimated to be more than 30,000 years old which makes them some of the oldest in the world.

3. The Grotto of Massabielle is an important shrine in the Catholic Church. Where is it located?

Answer: Lourdes

Over five million people each year visit the small cave in Lourdes to see the place where, in 1858, the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous and directed her to a spring. The cave, which is located in the rock under the Cathedral, has its entrance to one side by the river.

The actual part where the spring was found is now out of the public area, but the water is still pumped to a nearby fountain for the public to drink.

4. The French have also found other uses for caves particularly in Reims, a cathedral city in the Champagne region. Several champagne houses offer guided tours, including one founded in 1785 by a Lutheran from Westphalia. Since 1997 this champagne has had a distinctive red label. Which champagne is it?

Answer: Piper-Heidsieck

The Piper-Heidseick champagne cave tour is the best to consider if you have children in tow. The tour is an audio visual display from an automated cabin, making it more like a theme park ride. The 16km ride takes you 20m underground. The tour finishes with a chance to sample the product, (adults only).

5. I cannot resist another helping of champagne! Mo�t et Chandon is one of the best known brands of champagne; however, its champagne caves are not in Reims but in which nearby town?

Answer: �pernay

Mo�t et Chandon, founded in 1743, have the largest network of caves at �pernay. They own more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of vineyards, and annually produce around 26 million bottles of champagne. The champagne caves of the region are carved out of the limestone hills.

The unique geology is ideal in providing the constant temperatures and conditions necessary for the champagne. Many of the caves in both Reims and �pernay were originally Roman and then later enlarged by monks in the Middle Ages.

6. Moving south we lose the bubbly and move onto the Burgundy caves. What town, situated 25 miles south of Dijon, is known as the wine capital of Burgundy?

Answer: Beaune

Beaune is a small but picturesque town; its most notable building being the H�tel-Dieu (Hospices de Beaune) with its multicolored roofs. There are several wine caves open to the public in the town; the largest being those of Patriarche P�re & Fils.

7. The Chartreuse Caves in Voiron near Grenoble in the Alps contain the largest liqueur aging cellars in the world. Which order of monks produce the Chartreuse liqueur?

Answer: Carthusian

Carthusian monks are one of the oldest religious orders in Christianity having been founded by St Bruno in 1084. The first Chartreuse Elixir was made in 1737 and was 71% alcohol by volume, 142 proof! Today all the liqueurs are made only in Voiron with the 130 herbs, plants and flowers being stored and prepared in the monastery 25km away.

The caves are open for a free guided tour lasting approximately one hour.

8. How about some cheese to accompany the alcohol? True Roquefort cheese is made exclusively in the Combalou caves of Roquefort sur Soulzon. In what region of France are these caves?

Answer: Midi-Pyr�n�es

Roquefort cheese is a blue cheese made only from red Lacaune ewes' milk which is why genuine Roquefort cheese has a red sheep on its label. The cheese was first mentioned in AD 79 and was reputedly a favorite cheese of Charlemagne. The caves are open to the public year round with 'fleuriries' providing natural ventilation.

9. Where is the entrance to the Cosquer Cave near Marseille, Provence?

Answer: Below the sea

The cave in the limestone hills was discovered in 1985 by diver Henri Cosquer. The original entrance is 115ft below sea level and is the first cave discovered in the world containing preserved prehistoric cave art which has the entrance below current sea level. The chamber with the prehistoric paintings and engravings is partly above sea level.

10. A slightly different type of cave can be found in central Paris. Open to the public since 1867 this network of caves and tunnels holds the remains of approximately 6 million Parisians. What are these called?

Answer: Catacombs

By the late seventeenth century the cemeteries of central Paris had become very overcrowded and were causing disease. The remains from these condemned cemeteries were moved to abandoned limestone quarries. In the World War II the catacombs were used by both the French Resistance and the Germans as an underground bunker.

The network of catacombs are estimated to measure at least 185 miles (300km).

Source: Author jules44

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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The Caves of France Trivia Quiz

Over the past 30,000 years the French have put their caves to a number of uses. This quiz explores some of them and bearing in mind the french word "cave" means cellar, there will be liquid refreshment along the way!

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