The Choranche Caves were discovered at the end of the 19th century, probably around 1875, by people from the village of Choranche but exactly who we do not know. It must be said that underground exploration was not exactly popular at the time.

The discovery was probably due to the river running out of it that indicates its existence. At the time several years of drought probably encouraged the villagers to go in search of the spring itself. Surprised by the immense size of the first cave with its tiny entry, they called it "Cou fin" or "thin neck".
Later on the first explorer to venture further was Oscar DESCOMBAZ in about 1890. He was one of the pioneers of spelaeology or potholing in France and was an accountant at Pont-en-Royans. He left us a description of his first explorations in "Thin neck" together with the first maps of the network.
Today some 30 km of galleries have been explored, and there's still more waiting to be discovered !