On the road of the troglos
But by the way, what is a troglo?
A troglo or a troglodyte, you know, this underground housing dug into the rock!
No, you still can’t see it!
Then let yourself be guided!
A heritage and some traditions
From the Middle Age, in Touraine and more generally in the whole Loire Valley, the tufa stone is extracted for the construction of castles, religious buildings or even seigniorial residences leading to real underground labyrinths dug on the hillside that will rapidly serve as refuge or simply housing.
Our destination is not an exception to the rule and during your stay you will easily see its strange cavities!
The troglos are part of the Touraine heritage. The site of the Troglodytic Valley of the Goupillières in Azay-Le-Rideau is the perfect example. You will discover the other side of the picture, what was hidden behind the splendour of the castles. There you will be told about the life of farmers who lived in these troglodytic farms and these refuge undergrounds from the Middle Age to the 19th century.
Not far from there, in Villaines-Les-Rochers, a large part of this small basketry village is troglodytic. The basket workers exercise their art in some workshops nestled in the rock.
In Rivarennes, this is the famous dried pear recipe that you will taste in the troglos!
The troglos since the beginning have also allowed to preserve and age the best wines!
In Chinon, there are many troglodytic cellars: the famous Cellars Painctes but also the cellar Plouzeau or even the cellar Montplaisir, former tufa quarries dating from the construction of the royal fortress.
A few kilometres from Chinon, in Panzoult, don’t miss the visit of the tourist cellar of the same name entirely sculpted and dedicated to the famous history of Panurge and his meeting with the Sibylle of Panzoult, work of François Rabelais.
Another way of life in a protected environment
If most of these houses were abandoned in the 19th century, in the 80s those who feel nostalgic, began to restore these troglodytes which offer an original décor and a certain comfort due to the specific isothermal qualities of the rock. A troglodyte remains cool in summer and temperate in winter! More and more people in search of something atypical embark on the troglo adventure.
The Courtineau Valley and its chapel Notre-Dame de Lorette in the village of Saint-Epain or even the valley of hills or the village of Vaux in Sainte-Maure de Touraine offer beautiful prospects of exotic walks, by bike or on foot in a picturesque and peaceful environment.
And so that this troglo-trip leaves you an imperishable memory, we suggest you spending an unusual night in a troglodytic hotel. In Azay-le-Rideau, Troglododo will welcome you for an original and recharging stay on the hillside!
Myriam Brunet
