Plateau des Gras, Protected natural area in Ardèche, France
Plateau des Gras is a protected natural area in Ardèche located between two deep gorges and characterized by limestone formations that rise across rolling terrain. The landscape combines open spaces with rocky outcrops, and visitors can explore marked hiking trails and cave entrances scattered throughout the region.
The plateau contains numerous dolmens dating to the third millennium BCE, marking it as one of France's richest areas for megalithic monuments. These ancient burial chambers reflect the presence of early communities and their spiritual beliefs across thousands of years.
Stone shelters called capitelles dot the plateau, built by local farmers during the 1800s to house tools and provide refuge during fieldwork. These modest structures reveal how people adapted their daily routines to the rocky landscape.
The area is accessible via a road that connects various sections and provides multiple starting points for exploration. Bring sturdy hiking shoes and expect uneven, rocky ground, especially if you plan to enter any caves.
The rock layers of the plateau hold numerous fossil remains, including ammonite imprints preserved in the Jurassic limestone. These fossilized shells tell the story of an ancient sea that once covered this land millions of years ago.
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