The ANECAT has protected, promoted and animated French underground heritage sites for more than 50 years.
Founded in 1952, the ANECAT, the National Association of Operators of Caves Developed for Tourism, works to discover and enhance tourist caves. It brings together the caves, sinkholes and underground natural sites of France open to visitors, with the aim of pooling know-how, promoting and defending the underground heritage.
For more than 50 years, the ANECAT has given itself the main missions of :
- Promote these unusual places, witnesses of human history
- Preserve and animate these sites thanks to organized visits for the general public
- Protect this exceptional heritage through site security measures
Originally made up of 22 caves, today 78 member caves (representing 70% of French caves and 90% of visitors) work to protect this natural heritage.
Founding and legitimate member of the ISCA (International Show Cave Association), the ANECAT contributes to the development of underground tourism around the world.
The ANECAT is made up of natural or prehistoric cavities open to the public and fitted out for a safe visit, among which there are caves, chasms, potholes, underground natural sites, etc…
