Loire Valley - Troglodytes

 As you explore the Loire Valley you cannot fail to notice the abundance of dwellings dug into the slopes and rock faces of the landscape. These are referred to as troglodytes and are the results of the local people’s desire to use their environment to its full potential. The tufa stone that these dwellings are cut from is soft, manageable and easy to work, so they had the double benefit of selling the quarried stone while creating a living or working space for them or their families. The troglodyte caves have the advantage of staying at a fairly constant 12 degrees centigrade thus making them a good all year round habitat that provided heat in winter and remained cool in summer as well as giving good protection from the elements. Below are a variety of examples which now form part of the areas  diverse tourist attractions. There are many fine examples of troglodytes in towns and villages of the region such as Saumur, and Doue le Fontaine. A very good example of this is the Troglodyte village of Rochemenier which is in the commune of Louresse-Rochemenier 6 km NW of Doue-la-Fontaine, check out the links below...