Le Village Troglodytique Rochemenier

Useful Information

Location:	Louresse-Rochemenier, near Doué la Fontaine.
Open:	FEB to MAR Sat, Sun, Hol 14-18. APR to 01-NOV daily 9:30-19. NOV Sat, Sun, Hol 14-18. [2007]
Fee:	Adults EUR 4.90, Children (7-18) EUR 2.50, Students EUR 2.50. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 3.30, Children (3-18) EUR 2.30, Students EUR 2.30. [2007]
Classification:	Cave House
Light:	electric
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Bibliography:
Address:	Village troglodyte Rochemenier, 49700 Louresse, Tel: +33-241-591815, Fax: +33-241-593513. E-mail:
Last update:	$Date: 2008/01/02 17:16:57 $

History


1967		opened to the public.

Description

In this area once most farms were underground, two of this farms and the Chapelle souterraine du village de Rochemenier, a subterranean church, are now open to the public. This is the largest accessible group of caves in the whole area. It is called Village Troglodyte de Rochemenier (Underground village of Rochemenier). There are 20 underground rooms on an area of more than one hectare.

The farms were built undergroun, inside the rather soft limestone. This rock was quarried all arouns, but here it was used for living. But Rochemenier liest in a flat landscape, not inside a cliff. In order to build farmyards with cave houses surround the yard, the first thing was to dug a huge pit, generally with a ramp for carriages on one side. The other, steep sides were used to dug chambers into the rock, which were closed by stone walls.

The site is maintaine by the couple Anne and Victor Leray. They resore the houses, breed ancient poultry and have their own small rose garden. During the years the site has become so well known, it was even used for a french stam in 2004, worth 0.50 €.

Le Village Troglodytique Rochemenier

Useful Information

History

Description

See also