Hortus, Archaeological site and mountain in Valflaunès, France
Hortus is a limestone mountain near Valflaunès standing 512 meters high with vertical cliff faces that rise about 100 meters above the surrounding land. Its distinctive shape stretches over a kilometer and makes it a prominent feature visible from far away.
A cave within the mountain was inhabited by Neanderthals between 60,000 and 30,000 years ago, leaving behind evidence of their presence. The remains found there provide insight into how these early inhabitants lived and what tools they made.
The mountain shapes the local wine region and is woven into how people here think about the land. The steep terrain and limestone soil directly influence the character of wines produced on its slopes.
The site offers about 60 different climbing routes of varying difficulty across its limestone cliffs for all skill levels. Parking and information points on-site help visitors get oriented and make the most of their visit.
The cave system houses approximately 17 bat species, including several endangered European varieties. Both the caverns and cliff faces provide shelter for these animals throughout the entire year.
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