Carrière du Chauffour, Underground quarry in Thiescourt, France.
Carrière du Chauffour is an underground limestone quarry with multiple levels and passages carved through natural rock. The interconnected spaces create a network of chambers beneath the surface.
French forces converted this quarry into a military shelter during World War I, occupying it from 1914 to 1918. The site provided protection and housing for soldiers throughout the conflict.
The walls display hundreds of inscriptions and drawings left by soldiers during wartime. These personal marks tell the story of the people who lived and worked underground.
Visits require advance permission from the owners and should be planned in stable conditions. Wear sturdy footwear and take time to navigate the uneven surfaces safely.
Underground, you find windows carved into stone that resemble Byzantine design and created channels for light. This surprising architectural detail made the shelter more livable and interesting than a typical bunker.
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