Troglodytes houses Forges
About This Museum
Believe it or not, the soft limestone of the Loire Valley was once quarried by hand to build its famous chateaux, leaving behind a labyrinth of empty caves. Over centuries, people didn't just abandon these spaces; they moved in, turning them into remarkable subterranean homes. This museum isn't a single building but a network of these lived-in caves, where you can walk through rooms carved directly from the earth. It’s a hauntingly beautiful glimpse into a completely different way of life, hidden in plain sight.
Collection Highlights
You'll find everything from a fully-equipped 19th-century kitchen with its original hearth to sleeping quarters and stables, all showcasing how families and their livestock coexisted underground. The most captivating features are the walls themselves, etched with centuries-old graffiti and carvings left by former inhabitants.
Visitor Information
It's located just outside Dénezé-sous-Doué—look for the unassuming entrance that leads you down into another world. Wear a sweater as the temperature underground stays cool year-round.
Architecture & Building
This is vernacular 'cave architecture,' where the landscape itself is the structure; rooms are defined by excavated chambers and pillars of untouched rock, with facades built directly into the hillside.
Contact & Location
Address: Maisons troglodytes de Forges, 10, Route de la Fosse, Meigné, Dénezé-sous-Doué, Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire, France métropolitaine, 49700, France
Phone: +33 2 41 59 00 32
Website: Visit Website
