Chastelard de Lardiers, Archaeological sanctuary in Lardiers, France
Chastelard de Lardiers is an ancient archaeological site situated on the southern slope of the Lure mountain at roughly 990 meters elevation. The ruins reveal the foundations of several structures, altars, and pathways that show how this religious sanctuary was organized.
This location began as a residential area but gradually transformed into a pilgrimage destination for religious rituals and ceremonies. It reached its peak of activity in the 2nd century when political changes in the region reshaped the territories around it.
This was a place where people came to make offerings to the gods, leaving behind objects as part of their religious practice. Visitors can sense how central this sanctuary was to the spiritual life of the surrounding communities in ancient times.
Reaching the site on foot is possible but requires good fitness due to the elevation and steep terrain you will encounter. The original artifacts are housed in a museum in the nearby town of Apt, giving you a complete picture of what was found here.
Excavations uncovered an enormous quantity of votive offerings, including thousands of oil lamps and bronze items left behind by pilgrims. These discoveries show how popular this location was for people traveling from distant places in ancient times.
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