La Pierre Bamboche 1

Trip No.205  Entry No.209  Date Added: 30th Nov 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Yes on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: This stone is easy to find, driving west along the D.112 towards Sanilhac, and after a couple of kilometres there it is, standing right beside the road at a corner. It stands at over 2 metres tall, but has been cemented back together from several pieces, the top having been broken off in the past.

Dolmen de la Pitchoune

Trip No.205  Entry No.208  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Provence:Vaucluse (84))
Visited: Yes on 23rd Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5

Log Text: A few kilometres to the east of Ménerbes, along the D.103, and to the west of Lacost, the home of the chateau of the Marquis de Sade, can be found this dolmen which has its own signpost. It is right beside the road and below ground level, below an arched bridge type structure of the road.

The dolmen is now sort of built into the terraced hillside, but whether it was originally, or just that the local land has risen - perhaps due to the hillside falling down - I do not know. The 4m by 3m chamber has a large backstone and two portal entry stones, but the sides are of vaulted drystone construction. It is tall enough to stand up inside the chamber below the single large capstone, the back of which is now within the hillside. Whether the whole thing was cut into the ground, or originally built above ground level with a cairn of stones I cannot tell. I assume it was above ground, but the level of soil around it has risen. The chamber looks to have remains of an entry passageway, which would open to the southwest, at about 235°, looking across the valley and up into the Luberon Hills.

The dolmen has at times been used as a storage shed, and with the road right besides, and the terraced land behind, I wouldn't be surprised if it has been much altered. I assume the bridge bit of the road has been built here to protect the dolmen by arching over the top.

Glanum

Trip No.205  Entry No.207  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Just outside St Remy-de-Provence is this ancient city, only discovered last century, and with ongoing excavations. The Roman city was built on top of a previous Hellenic (Greek) city dating from before 300BC, which in turn was built on an old Gallic living place and Oppidum. All the focus seemed to be on the water spring, and there are lots of temples around it. A very interesting place to have a look around.

Les Baux

Trip No.205  Entry No.206  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Sep 2005

Log Text: Beautiful and intriguing old village clinging onto the sides of a steep and craggy limestone ridge, riddled with caves and quarries, and with a castle on top.

Barbegal Mill and Aquaduct

Trip No.205  Entry No.205  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Sep 2005. My rating: Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: I found no dolmens, but did find some intriguing Roman remains. A double aquaduct leads south from the hills over the road and fields to another smaller rocky ridge which water channels are cut through to a big drop at the far side. I had no idea what this was until I found out much later that it was the Barbegal Mill complex, a massive flour mill from Roman times with a total of 16 waterwheels. I wish I had known at the time, but it was truly fascinating.

Mas Cadenet dolmen

Trip No.205  Entry No.204  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Passage Grave Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Couldn't find on 22nd Sep 2005

Log Text: I could not find this dolmen or hypogae, there are lots of private property signs all around, although not the big fences this time.

Dolmen de la Mérindole

Trip No.205  Entry No.203  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Couldn't find on 22nd Sep 2005

Log Text: I could not find this dolmen or hypogae, there are lots of private property signs all around, although not the big fences this time.

Hypogée de Bonnias

Trip No.205  Entry No.202  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Passage Grave Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Couldn't find on 22nd Sep 2005

Log Text: I could find no way to this hypogae, as everywhere has lots of big high security fences.

Dolmen de Saint-Contignarde

Trip No.200  Entry No.201  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Passage Grave Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Couldn't find on 22nd Sep 2005

Log Text: I could find no way to this hypogae, as everywhere has lots of big high security fences.

La Grotte des Fées de Cordes

Trip No.205  Entry No.200  Date Added: 29th Nov 2020
Site Type: Passage Grave Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Couldn't find on 22nd Sep 2005

Log Text: Also known as Le Palet De Roland, this monument is somewhere up on top of the Montagne des Cordes. The rock cut trench of this hypogae is the largest of the many around here, at 43 metres in length. Unfortunately, while I was looking, the entire hill seems to be very heavily fenced off, double fences and razor wire on top of one of them. They don't seem to want people here !

Temple de Mercure

Trip No.204  Entry No.194  Date Added: 28th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Temple Country: France (Auvergne:Puy-de-Dôme (63))
Visited: Yes on 26th Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Remains of a Gallo-Roman temple can be seen at the summit of the Puy de Dôme (1465m).

Hypogee du Castelet

Trip No.205  Entry No.199  Date Added: 26th Nov 2020
Site Type: Passage Grave Country: France (Provence:Bouches-du-Rhône (13))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 1 Access 5

Log Text: Beside the road between Arles and Fontvieille, this hypogae has a little signpost, from where the monument can be found in the bushes and marsh to the side of the road. It's unbearably mosquito infested and I couldn’t get away quick enough.

There is a trench carved into the rock, which is now filled with boggy water, and there is a nice entrance ramp down at the west end. It is probably about 20 metres long, 2 metres deep and up to 2 metres wide, and covered with large slabs. Just inside the trench is a carved entrance stone. I cant stay here any longer, I have got to get away, as I am being bitten to death.

Le Pont du Gard

Trip No.205  Entry No.198  Date Added: 26th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Mine, Quarry or other Industry Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Yes on 21st Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 5 Access 5

Log Text: Rive Gauche or Rive Droite? I went to the first one signed, Rive Droite. Probably better to have gone to the other side as that’s where all the information is. The Rive Droite side all got washed away in a storm on the 9th September 2002, when the river rose over 29 metres. They have pictures. Incredible.

What a lovely place. Fantastic bridge (used for over 500 years to supply water to the city of Nimes), lovely river and some splendid walks round signed footpaths which take you to various viewpoints and other bits of the ancient aqueduct system. Yes, you could spend ages here walking around, visiting the various museums etc (I didn't). Two and a half hours disappeared in no time and I was being quick. I'd best buy a book of pictures. Beautiful colours. Blue sky, golden bridge, green forested banks, shimmering green water and nearly white rocks.

Beautiful.

Abri de la Salpetriere

Trip No.205  Entry No.197  Date Added: 26th Nov 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Yes on 21st Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Beside the river near to the Pont du Gard is a big cliff shelter, which has a sign on it saying it was used as a dwelling in the age of reindeer. Excavations were going on within, and it was all fenced off.

Oppidum de Nages

Trip No.205  Entry No.196  Date Added: 26th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 21st Sep 2005

Log Text: On the top of the hill to the north of Nages are the remains of an oppidum. This is a nice looking hill rising steeply from the plains, and with what looks to be a sculpted top.

Pierre Plantée (Congénies)

Trip No.205  Entry No.195  Date Added: 26th Nov 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Yes on 21st Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Drive north from Aubais towards Congénies for about 1.5 km, and at the bend in the road there is a stoney track which heads off to the east. Take this track along the ridge for about 400 metres, and at a major junction of tracks, on the left, can be seen this menhir.

The stone is about 2.3 metres tall, 1.5 m wide at the base and 40cm thick, standing in amongst some very prickly undergrowth. On both faces are several carvings and engravings, from ancient to more modern graffitti. Amongst the ancient are several cupules and some crosses. There are also symbols which resemble letters or Greek symbols. A little offering of flowers had been placed into a crack in the stone when I visited, so obviously somebody still cares for this ancient stone.

Colline de Moulin Menhir

Trip No.205  Entry No.194  Date Added: 26th Nov 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Yes on 21st Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: From the cemetary to the south of Aubais, walk southwest up the little track to the ancient windmill, and after about 800 metres you arrive at the top of this windy little hill. Here, about 50 metres from the old windmill, has been re-erected the menhir, mended from several parts and mounted on a little plinth. It is only about 1.5 metres high, but has several legends associated with it. There are three circular cupules to be seen in the southern face.

Mas Neuf menhir

Trip No.205  Entry No.193  Date Added: 26th Nov 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Couldn't find on 21st Sep 2005

Log Text: I had a good look around for this menhir, but couldn't find anything.

Truc de Marti

Trip No.205  Entry No.192  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 20th Sep 2005

Log Text: I went to have a look at this hilltop site, but time was getting on, and I could find no quick way up to the top of the hill, which has the remains of a prehistoric village and up to 9 burial chambers on it. I had a look, but could see nothing resembling a path at all, and the place was all very overgrown with rough scrub. I decided that I would probably get lost up there, so I headed off to find a campsite.

Viols Musée de Préhistoire

Trip No.205  Entry No.191  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Museum Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 20th Sep 2005

Log Text: Once a prehistory museum in the little town of Viols-le-Fort, but now closed with the building used for something else. The collection includes the statue menhir found at nearby prehistoric village of Truc de Marti.