Digital Tools for Managing and Promoting Karst Geosites in Southeast France

This article provides an overview of the various digital tools we have used and developed to study and promote a range of karst geosites. Our work focused on the very high heritage value endokarst sites (caves or karst networks) in France’s Ardèche département (Chauvet Cave, Aven d’Orgnac) and Chartreuse (Granier cave network), Vercors (Choranche Caves) and Bauges (Prérouge Cave) Regional Parks. These tools were developed using innovative, high-tech digital monitoring and 3D modelling technologies and combined laser scanners, digital cameras and sensors with specialised software. The resulting tools are now being used in the management and promotion of these sites, which are important territorial and heritage resources in areas where geotourism is increasing and being integrated into local planning strategies.