Rock of Solutré

Rock of Solutré is a limestone summit that rises prominently from the Mâconnais plain, featuring steep cliffs on its western face and gentler slopes toward the east. The exposed stone shows distinct layering and fractures formed by millions of years of geological upheaval and weathering.

Humans hunted at this location roughly 55000 years ago, leaving behind flint tools and animal bones as evidence. Systematic excavations began in 1866 and have confirmed the site's importance as a hunting ground through many millennia.

The place takes its name from the hunters who once roamed this limestone ridge. Today, visitors can feel how this rocky outcrop shaped human movement and settlement patterns across the region.

A trail system allows visitors to reach the summit with route options suited to different fitness levels and time constraints. A museum at the base provides context about the site's prehistoric significance before or after hiking.

The site's name may derive from a Celtic word meaning light or fire, though the exact origin remains debated among scholars. This linguistic mystery adds depth to a place already shaped by thousands of years of human activity.

Location: Saône-et-Loire

Elevation above the sea: 493 m

Made from material: limestone

GPS coordinates: 46.29872,4.71814

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:00