Cave dwellings in Loire valley (France)

The cave dwelling groups all the facilities of a traditional house on surface but it is dug in the cliff. The chimney does not stay on the roof but it pierces the ground on the top of the hill. Sometimes there is a whole village which is hidden in the rock: streets, shops, farms, and also church. In the Loire Valley, there are still people who live in cave dwellings today. These modern cave dwellers are returning to the singular way of life adopted by many villagers during previous centuries.

Blended into the rock

Blended into the rock

Windows piercing the hillside

Outside the cave

On two levels

Kitchen

Around the courtyard

Rock-cut kitchen

Hidden in the rock

Self-sufficient

Lightwell

Perched on the cliff

Perched on the cliff

Cave dwelling of a postman poet

Quarry of a postman poet

Artist studio

Artist gallery

Bakehouse

Bread oven

Cliff of Bourré, 1998

Cave dwelling, 1998

Living room, 1997

House, 1998

Contemporary house, 2003

Contemporary house, 2003

Contemporary house, 2003

Cave dwelling, 1998

Basket maker, 2000

Basket, 2000

Basket maker, 2000

Henhouse and stable, 2001

Henhouse, 2001