Le Village Troglodytique de Cucuron, Underground village in Cucuron, France
Le Village Troglodytique de Cucuron is an underground village with dwellings carved into limestone formations. The rooms form a network of caves and corridors that extends through multiple levels within the hillside.
Residents began carving their homes into the rock face in the 11th century, establishing a community beneath the earth. This settlement developed over the centuries as people continued to expand their underground dwellings.
The underground galleries show how residents extracted stone and created living spaces by carving into the rock. This method of building was the common way to make homes in this area.
Visitors can explore the dwellings only with a guided tour organized through the local tourist office. It helps to book ahead and wear comfortable shoes, as there is considerable walking through the passages.
Deep within the rock sits an ancient oil mill that still presses olives using traditional methods passed down for centuries. Visitors can watch this craft continue as it has for generations.
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