La Cave aux Moines, Underground restaurant in Gennes-Val-de-Loire, France.
La Cave aux Moines is a restaurant within former limestone quarry tunnels where guests dine in spaces carved from ancient extraction galleries. The caves display stone walls throughout, all shaped by the historical mining of tuffeau rock.
The caves originated from tuffeau stone extraction, a material used in the region for centuries. In the early 1900s, the tunnel network was converted into mushroom cultivation chambers.
The restaurant serves traditional Loire Valley dishes centered around locally grown mushrooms. These meals are presented in stone vaulted rooms that emphasize the underground setting.
The restaurant welcomes visitors Tuesday through Sunday from June to September, with weekend-only hours during winter. It is advisable to book in advance and wear warm clothing, as the underground rooms remain cool throughout the year.
Visitors can sample fouee, a traditional bread baked in wood ovens and served with various fillings. This local specialty is enjoyed in the underground chambers where it has been popular for generations.
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