Creux du Van

The Creux du Van [ ˌ kʀødy vɑ ] is a Ausräumungskessel (French: cirque, Cirque de Gavarnie, for example ) in the Swiss Jura on the border between the cantons of Neuchâtel and Vaud.

It is about 1200 m wide and 500 m deep. The total length of the cliffs, which drop about 160 m vertically, is about 4 km. The area is located at Mont Soliat at 1200 to 1450 m above sea level. M. and is placed under protection since 1972. It belongs to the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance.

The boiler is probably formed after the Ice Age by erosion. The floor is covered with moraine and landslide material grown on the fir and beech. In the middle under the above unforested part of the boiler is the source of Fontaine Froide whose water is throughout the year evenly 4 ° C warm.

Live ibex and chamois on the rocky walls. 1770 the last bear was killed in the territory of the Creux -du- Van. In the years 1974 and 1975, a pair of lynx was ever exposed. For the lynx, it was wild caught from the Slovak Carpathians.

The geologically and botanically valuable area is also a popular destination, which is best reached on foot from Noiraigue. By car you reach via Couvet or Saint- Aubin- Sauges the restaurant Ferme du Soliat at the top of the rock boiler.

On the treeless top of the boiler a about 2 km long dry stone wall was built, replacing a less aesthetic wire mesh fence. The wall was created by an international group free of charge and is therefore also called wall of friendship.