La Voulte-sur-Rhône Lagerstätte

La Voulte-sur-Rhône Lagerstätte is a geological formation in the Ardèche region that contains marine fossils from the Jurassic period. The layers consist of fine shale and iron-rich limestone, where fossils are preserved with remarkable detail.

French paleontologists discovered the first crustaceans and fish in nodules during 19th century iron mining at this location. These early findings established the site as a significant source for understanding ancient marine environments.

The site holds evidence of ancient marine animals that died and were preserved within its rocky layers. These fossils reveal details about an ancient sea that once covered this region and how marine life existed in that distant past.

The site consists of several quarries west of La Voulte-sur-Rhône village that are relatively accessible. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and take care when exploring these active or former extraction areas.

The location is known worldwide for preserving soft tissues of fossil creatures through unusual pyritization processes. These mineralization methods allow researchers to examine the earliest stages of fossil formation.

Location: Rhône-Alpes

GPS coordinates: 44.79849,4.76321

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:00