Troglodyte Dwellings
by Goner
At the end of one of our half-day van tours we stopped for wine in a limestone cave along the Loire River. The cave was one of many called Troglodytes in the region. The history of these Troglodytes peaked my interest and this is what I found to share with you:The soft limestone (tufa) of the banks of rivers in Central France is perfect for cave formation. In the middle ages a quarter of the population lived in these caves and were known as troglodytes. These caves served as a refuge in times of war over the centuries. Tufa miners produced the material to build the châteaux from this area. Today, beside the mushroom growers and the wine makers, troglodyte dwellings have turned into inns, art galleries, museums and zoos. A good place to view some troglodytes are above Amboise, between the chateau and the Clos Luce. Look carefully to the left as you climb the hill. The facades and gardens...