Village Troglodyte de Trôo


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Address: Village Troglodyte de Trôo.
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History


Description

The Village Troglodyte de Trôo (subterranean village of Trôo) is named such, because numerous houses were built into the cliff faces. This area along the Loire river is famous for its subterranea and underground cities, but this one is located far north of the central distribution area. It is not a museum, it is a living village, the cave houses are inhabited. Trôo was probably named after trou (French for hole), but it was wronkly pronunciated by the occupying English.

The cave houses are located along the rue haute (High Street) and are locally called caforts. There was an underground chapel, known under the name of St. Gabriel, which attracted many pilgrims to Trôo, but is now destroyed. Nearby is an underground laundry. There is a cave which is freely accessible called La Source "Rue Haute", which was actually built to collect the water of a spring. The museum is also located in such caves.

The construction of the caves was started during the 11th and 12th century. Today the village is the best restored cave village in France. Most of the caves are renovated and in use. Located in the steep slopes of a steep hill, most caves offer a magnificient view of the countryside. These homes are spacious and the large windows and doors let in the sunlight, actually not what one would expect from cave dwellings.