Prehistoric village of Cambous, Prehistoric settlement site in Viols-en-Laval, France.
Prehistoric village of Cambous is an archaeological site containing four clusters of stone dwellings dating to the Copper Age. Each cluster holds eight to ten adjoining cabins built with thick stone walls and rounded ends, revealing how early communities structured their living spaces.
The settlement was founded during the Copper Age around 5000 years ago, between 2800 and 2400 BCE, making it the oldest known stone village in France. It marks a shift from temporary shelters to permanent structures as communities became more settled.
The settlement belonged to the Fontbouisse culture, named after similar discoveries near Sommières. People here lived in stone houses arranged in clusters, which shaped how the community was organized around shared spaces.
The site is open year-round with guided tours available for groups and schools. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the archaeological remains sit on unpaved paths with uneven ground throughout the area.
A reconstructed dwelling sits at the site's edge, built with authentic thatched and stone-slab roofing methods. This structure allows visitors to see how people actually lived and what building techniques they employed in the Copper Age.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
