Just 30 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
The most intact troglodyte location in the Loire Valley! Here, you can see two former farms with dwellings and outhouses dug out of the rock, and which house hundreds of farming tools and items of furniture; a farmyard with hardy animals; an underground chapel.
Rochemenier
49700 SOUS-EMBRANCHEMENT
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 59 18 15
Just 30 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
A guided tour is available for discovering these former quarries for extracting falun (shelly sand) during the 18th and 19th centuries. During your tour, you'll see the remains of troglodyte dwellings, as well as those of fungi-growing locations. Known as "cathedrals" due to the unique extraction method used, the rooms obtained in this way follow one after the other, and feature splendid ogives reaching heights of 20 metres.
Duration of tour: 45 mins
TROGLODYTES - LES CAVES CATHEDRALES DES PERRIERES
545, rue des Perrières
49700 DOUE-LA-FONTAINE
Tel: +33 (0)2.41.59.71.29
Just 30 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
This unique European location, which is listed as a Historic Monument, sheds light on the amazing lifestyles of cave dwellers. From the large underground sanctuary in the time of the Vikings to the chapel, from the "cathedral" caves to the troglodyte farm, the wine cellar, the oven, and not forgetting the fine Merovingian sarcophagi quarry rediscovered by archaeologists, you'll be travelling back through 1500 years of history. The guide will enthusiastically tell you about Man's ingenuity, and about his cave-dwelling experience. The history of France told to children and adults with passion and humour, all just half an hour from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
49700 Doué-la-Fontaine
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 59 24 95
Just 30 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
Come and discover this authentic troglodyte hamlet, which was still home to three families in the early 20th century, with its outhouses and extraordinary architecture, just half an hour from the camping Parc de Montsabert. You'll receive a warm welcome from the owners. This hamlet, made up of authentic "caves demeurantes" (dwelling cellars) and their outhouses (for animals and equipment), will fascinate visitors as part of an unusual tour lasting an hour.
49700 FORGES
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 59 00 32
Just 5 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
In the triangle formed by Saumur, Doué-la-Fontaine and Angers, come and see the Hélice Terrestre, a monumental sculpture in a troglodyte village. This is a contemporary artwork, born of the coming together of a designer, Jacques Warminski, and the world of the cave dwellers. It is made up of two areas at the same time: one is entirely dug out of the rock, and the other is modelled and moulded in the open air. This sculptural area means visitors will be able to move around within the Earth's crust.
49350 SAINT-GEORGES-DES-SEPT-VOIES
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 57 95 92
Just 50 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
Unusual to the eye and on the palate! A different time, a different era, a different taste: this is what Béatrice and François will enable you to discover within their wonderfully converted "troglo" with its late 19th century vibe. This cliffside cave dwelling, with its "Pomme Tapée" museum, plus the option of trying this apple-based speciality, will leave you with some abiding memories! Forming a very real manufacturing process during the 19th century, this activity is now unique of its kind in France, and has formed the subject of many televised reports!
49730 TURQUANT
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 51 48 30
Just 50 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
Visit a stately cave dwelling which is an exceptional location, Europe's troglodyte jewel in the crown, with its 16th century dovecote. On the Route des Rois, between the abbey of Fontevraud and Château de Saumur, in the heart of the "Saumur Champigny" vineyards, La Grande Vignolle looks forward to welcoming you for a tasting of the wines of Domaine Filliatreau during receptions for up to 120 people in various of its rooms or in the large vault. Temporary exhibitions and entertainment are organised throughout the season!
Duration of tour: 30 minutes
49730 TURQUANT
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 38 16 44
Just 50 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
In Montsoreau, between Saumur and Chinon, in the Loire Valley, Le Saut-aux-Loups is a troglodyte location on the side of a hill looking over the Loire. Occupied by Man since the dawn of time, wolves once lived here too. From the Middle Ages until the late 19th century, there was a tuffeau stone mine which was used intensively for building the châteaux and churches in the region. Miles of galleries were therefore dug while several cave dwellings were built. These are now preserved in their original state and are used as the setting for the location's troglodyte restaurant.
49730 Montsoreau
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 51 70 30
Just 2 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
Workshop and gallery of artist Richard Rak, this exceptional troglodyte location looks out over the great plain of Coutures. In a huge area of trees and greenery lies the mysterious underground world of the artist. 400m² of galleries, rooms, bedrooms and outhouses dug out of the tuffeau stone where Richard Rak has chosen to live and work. He welcomes you in person and shows you around the maze of this strange gallery in which his creations are given life, and which reveal themselves in organic serenity. The permanent collection lives and evolves according to exhibitions in France and elsewhere.
49320 COUTURES
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 57 97 97
Just 30 minutes from the camping Parc de Montsabert.
Roses feature throughout your guided tour through the underground galleries of falun (shelly sand), dug out several thousand years ago. You'll find the artisanal distillery that produces eau de rose using naked flame, the rose cellar, a collection of fossils, what used to be the cave bistro, the quarry dug out with a pick by Mr Grégoire, ancient cave dwellings and a place for artistic expression, with works produced every year by sculptors.
Open from 1st April to 31st October from 10am to midday and from 2pm to 7pm.
49700 Doué-la-Fontaine
Tel: +33 (0)2 41 59 96 83
