Description
The Giens peninsula is very popular during the summer months, and canoe and paddleboat hire, as well as scuba diving excursions, are flourishing. Visiting the cave is an activity promoted by many tourism websites.
The number of people visiting the cave has not yet been estimated, but it is highly likely to be significant. Periods of high visitor numbers correspond in part with the presence of bats in the cave.
Due to its geographical position, it plays an important role as a summer and autumn transit site for two species of chiropteran: Schreibers' Minioptera and Capaccini's Murre. The Schreibers' Miniopteron is a highly threatened species and benefits from the strongest protection measures at national level. The cave is home to a maximum of 700 individuals, making it one of the 5 most important transit sites in the PACA region. Another species that is particularly threatened and endangered in the southern region also frequents the cave: Capaccini's Murre. Its numbers are less well known.
The challenge is therefore to work with local stakeholders and users to define protection measures so that local leisure activities can coexist while preserving this bat roost.