Loire Valley - Troglodyte Village of Rochemenier

One of the most complete remaining examples of underground or cave living is the Troglodyte village of Rochemenier which is in the commune of Louresse-Rochemenier 6 km NW of Doue-la-Fontaine, just of the D761. Part of the troglodyte village has been retained as a museum to a way of life that was still in existence in the 1930’s. You are presented with a plan which leads you through the twenty rooms of the village consisting of two ancient farms with out-buildings and houses plus a spectacular underground chapel carved out of the rock.

As you reflect on how it must have been to live in these small dwellings you are shown a modernised room that you could survive relatively comfortably in today. The impression given however is that the village’s inhabitants must have been really ‘close’ to have lived in such a tight knit community.

This is a good place to take children as apart from the historical interest they’ll love exploring the caves --- oh and by the way—“MIND YOUR HEAD!”