Came across this settlement while out for a cycle about 15 miles south of the Loire - there are loads of them in the area, but this one has a bit more to it than most..
Firstly, the houses themselves, some built from the stone quarried out of the ground, others dug into the caves themselves:
Troglodyte fireplace:
Small wine press in the cellars:
Mrs RnR went through a large archway into a massive courtyard with more cellars and tunnels, evidently a big wine producer but now abandoned:
Larger wine press and barrels:
Then it got more interesting. There was old graffitti carved into many of the stone arches, and we spotted this:
'1e Chasseurs d'Afrique 1870'
This refers to a unit of light cavalry in the French Army formed around 1830. In 1870 they took part in the battle of Sedan in the Franco-Prussian war, and suffered heavy casualties. So, I wonder, what were they doing in a tiny hamlet just south of the Loire that same year? Especially when there are large cavalry stables at Saumur itself, only a few miles away? If anyone has any suggestions..?
Firstly, the houses themselves, some built from the stone quarried out of the ground, others dug into the caves themselves:
Troglodyte fireplace:
Small wine press in the cellars:
Mrs RnR went through a large archway into a massive courtyard with more cellars and tunnels, evidently a big wine producer but now abandoned:
Larger wine press and barrels:
Then it got more interesting. There was old graffitti carved into many of the stone arches, and we spotted this:
'1e Chasseurs d'Afrique 1870'
This refers to a unit of light cavalry in the French Army formed around 1830. In 1870 they took part in the battle of Sedan in the Franco-Prussian war, and suffered heavy casualties. So, I wonder, what were they doing in a tiny hamlet just south of the Loire that same year? Especially when there are large cavalry stables at Saumur itself, only a few miles away? If anyone has any suggestions..?
