TROGLODYTES

The story of tuffeau

No need for a treasure map to find the hidden gem of the Loire Valley. Just look up at the Loire châteaux or head down into a cliffside gallery. The secret? A soft, golden stone that’s easy to carve: tuffeau.

This traditional limestone, found throughout the Loire Valley’s suboil, has been quarried for centuries, especially in Loir-et-Cher, around the village of Bourré, in the heart of the Cher Valley, near Tours. As early as the Middle Ages, stonemasons were extracting tuffeau to build the magnificent constructions of the Renaissance. It’s the very stone that shaped the graceful arches of Chenonceau, the luminous façades of Amboise, and the ornate turrets of Blois.

But these quarries were not just about extraction. As the digging continued, they slowly became shelters, homes, and living spaces. And so, a world apart was born – half-natural, half-human, shaped by the labor of past generations: the troglos.

When tuffeau tells its story

Once the stone had been quarried for châteaux, it only made sense to inhabit the empty spaces left behind… and that’s where the magic began. In Sud Val de Loire, these old tuffeau quarries were transformed into troglodyte villages, wine cellars, mushroom farms, and even fully carved homes.

To live in a troglo is to embrace the natural qualities of the stone: the walls keep the air fresh and the temperature stable, and the mood is unlike anywhere else. These troglodytes dwellings are truly unique to our region, especially in the troglodyte village of Bourré, nestled along the Cher River, near Tours.

Here, troglos aren’t relics of the past, they’re a living story. They have become a true way of life, one that fascinates and surprises all who discover it.

Anecdotes and curious tales

The troglodyte village of Bourré, in Loir-et-Cher, is full of fascinating stories:

White button mushrooms: Bourré was once a major hub for growing white button mushrooms. Every August, the Mushroom Festival celebrates this local tradition – the perfect time to sample regional delicacies.

Messages from the stonemasons: In the tuffeau quarries, you can still spot engravings left by the workers, etched directly into the stone, bringing memories back about those who carved these galleries.

Secret underground tunnels: Bourré also hides many tunnels that were used during World War II to shelter residents and store supplies. These hidden galleries add a rich historical dimension to your visit.