Grottes de Calès

Grottes de Calès is an underground dwelling carved into the eastern cliffs of the Alpilles near Lamanon, featuring multiple chambers spread across different levels. The site contains stone-cut residential spaces that are connected by passages within the rock formation.

The site shows occupation from ancient times through the Middle Ages, demonstrating how inhabitants continuously adapted these caves for living over many centuries. This long period of use reveals how people maintained and improved their underground homes across different historical periods.

The caves show how early residents organized their living spaces with carefully carved chambers that reveal their daily routines and family structures. The arrangement of rooms across different levels demonstrates how inhabitants adapted their homes to the natural rock formation.

The caves have narrow stone stairs and low passages that require careful movement and attention to your surroundings. Wearing sturdy shoes with good grip and bringing a flashlight makes navigating the different levels much safer and easier.

The inhabitants engineered a water collection system that captured rainwater and stored it in carved cisterns for daily use. This practical solution demonstrates how residents solved the challenge of getting fresh water in an underground environment.

GPS coordinates: 43.70389,5.08222

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46