La Roque Saint-Christophe, Archaeological site and fortress in Dordogne, France
La Roque Saint-Christophe is a limestone cliff formation housing caves and fortifications along the Vézère River in Dordogne. The site stretches roughly 1 km along the riverbank with multiple levels reaching up to 80 meters in height.
The site began as a refuge for early inhabitants and later became a fortified stronghold. It played a strategic role during the Hundred Years War until English forces took control in 1401.
The shelters reveal how people adapted their homes to life within the cliff face across different historical periods. Visitors can still see the traces of daily life embedded in the different levels and chambers today.
Visitors can explore the caves with guided tours and view films about geological formation. The different levels are partially accessible on foot, though conditions and access depend on weather and which areas are currently open.
Twenty-two watchtowers once stood along the cliff to relay signals between fortifications across the region. This network allowed medieval inhabitants to send messages rapidly over long distances.
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