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Sites TheCaptain has logged on trip number: 200 (View all trips)
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Grotte de Mas D'Azil
Trip No.200 Entry No.1 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 27th Feb 2000. My rating: Access 5
Grotte de Mas D'Azil submitted by thecaptain on 13th Dec 2003. The southern, upstream, entrance to the magnificent cave at Mas D'Azil, Ariege, southwest France.
The river takes a shortcut through the hillside here, and has created a massive cave, which is so big that a fairly large road also runs through the cave.
Within this cave were found signs of life going back tens of thousands of years, and indeed the world famous Faon aux Oiseaux spear thrower. The finds here gave the name Azilian to an entire prehistoric culture.
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Log Text: Drive south into the lower mountains from Toulouse. Visit St Sulpice, Mas D’Azil, many mountain roads, Foix, Pont du Diable.
Cap-Del Pouech Dolmen
Trip No.200 Entry No.2 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 27th Feb 2000. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 3
Cap-Del Pouech dolmen submitted by thecaptain on 13th Dec 2003. Cap-Del Pouech dolmen near Mas D'Azil, Ariege, southwest France.
I am not 100% sure whether this is the famed Cap del Pouech dolmen or another. I parked at the Southern entrance to the cave and followed a marked walking trail up and over the hill above the cave, following signs to the dolmen. There were other dolmens signposted in the area.
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Log Text: Lovely walk to the dolmen from Mas D'Azil across the top of the cave. Signs suggest there are more here.
Grotte de Niaux
Trip No.200 Entry No.10 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 2nd Apr 2000. My rating: Access 4
Grotte de Niaux submitted by thecaptain on 14th Aug 2008. Bison inside the Grotte de Niaux.
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Log Text: Grotte de Niaux near Tarascon in Ariège. Check out the world famous Niaux caves for a possible visit soon. The main entrance to the fabulous Niaux cave used for visitors is now further up the hillside than it once was. In ancient times, there would have been several lower, smaller entrances.
Grotte de Bédeilhac
Trip No.200 Entry No.12 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 2nd Apr 2000
Grotte de Bédeilhac submitted by thecaptain on 14th Feb 2005. Grotte de Bédeilhac, near Tarascon in Ariège, which contains some fine cave art, and sculpted clay figures.
A cave of which the entrance is so big, aeroplanes have been built within it during the war, and taken off from within.
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Log Text: Drive S through Pyrénées mountains to Andorra. Lots of snow at top of pass. Look at Ax-les-Thermes, Niaux and other caves on way back.
A cave of which the entrance is so big, aeroplanes were to have been built within it during the war, and taken off from within.
Grotte de la Petite Caougno
Trip No.200 Entry No.11 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 2nd Apr 2000. My rating: Ambience 4 Access 5
Grotte de la Petite Caougno submitted by thecaptain on 14th Feb 2005. The main entrance to the fabulous Niaux cave used for visitors is now further up the hillside than it once was. In ancient times, there would have been several lower, smaller entrances. This picture is of one of the small side entrances to a cave shelter in the vicinity, in which ancient remains have been found.
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Log Text: Drive S through Pyrénées mountains to Andorra. Lots of snow at top of pass. Look at Ax-les-Thermes, Niaux and other caves on way back, investigating the possibility of a full visit to Niaux.
This is a small cave shelter beside the little road up to the modern Niaux entrance, in which ancient remains have been found.
I am sure I saw a bear wandering around in one of the fields below.
Grotte de Lombrives
Trip No.200 Entry No.13 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 2nd Apr 2000
Grotte de Lombrives submitted by durhamnature on 18th Nov 2012. Section of the cave at Lombrives, from "Anthropologie" via archive.org
Site in Midi:Ariège (09) France
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Log Text: Drive S through Pyrénées mountains to Andorra. Lots of snow at top of pass. Look at Ax-les-Thermes, Niaux and other caves on way back, checking out the possibilities of a proper visit.
Dolmen Da Cova de l'Alarb
Trip No.200 Entry No.51 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Yes on 26th Jun 2000. My rating: Access 3
Dolmen Da Cova de l'Alarb submitted by Petercastle on 31st Jul 2005. The dolmen seen from the east.
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Log Text: Weekend to explore Collioure area. Drive coast road Port Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer, Cerbere, into Spain, Portbou, Platja de Garbet to Figueras. Beautiful but slow. Signs to dolmens. Dali Museum brilliant. Back to Collioure through mountains, Argeles-sur-Mer. Look for the dolmens near Collioure, Fairly long walk up past the Chateau de Valmy, but only found one.
Dolmen dit Collets de Collioure
Trip No.200 Entry No.52 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Yes on 26th Jun 2000. My rating: Access 3
Log Text: Weekend to explore Collioure area. Drive coast road Port Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer, Cerbere, into Spain, Portbou, Platja de Garbet to Figueras. Beautiful but slow. Signs to dolmens. Dali Museum brilliant. Back to Collioure through mountains, Argeles-sur-Mer. Look for the dolmens near Collioure, Fairly long walk up past the Chateau de Valmy, but only found one.
La Pierre Droite (Peyrolles)
Trip No.200 Entry No.21 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Languedoc:Aude (11))
Visited: Couldn't find on 23rd Apr 2000
La Pierre Droite (Peyrolles) submitted by ceresbeith on 7th Jul 2018.
ceresbeith visited on 26th Oct 2017
Condition: 4 Ambience: 4 Access: 4
ceresbeith visited on 26th Oct 2017 Condition: 4 Ambience: 4 Access: 4 again, not signed at all, drove past 3 times before we decided to try this track, but there's a small space to park on the road and then a short walk up a forestry track. The menhir itself is beautiful with a lovely ambience around it. Had a grumpy, hot, tired child with me but it was still a great visit.
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Log Text: A rainy day exploring in the mountains south of Carcassonne. Drive S to Couiza, Arques, Peyrepertuse, Quéribus. Gorges de Galamus, more castles and driving, to Quillan. Hoped to see this stone from the roadside, but didn't
Source de Fontestorbes
Trip No.200 Entry No.22 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 24th Apr 2000. My rating: Access 5
Source de Fontestorbes submitted by thecaptain on 28th Feb 2006. The intermittent Source de Fontestorbes in full flow.
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Log Text: Lovely sunny day exploring in the Ariege hills. Puivert castle. Fontestorbes intermittent spring fascinating. Montsegur Castle. Pass de ? closed. Plain de ? Ax-les-Thermes, Col de Portel, scary roads. Mas D’Azil. Toulouse late.
Palet de Sanson
Trip No.200 Entry No.30 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 1st May 2000. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 5 Access 4
Palet de Sanson submitted by thecaptain on 6th Dec 2003. the Dolmen de Sem, also know as Palet de Sanson.
A remarkably sited dolmen in the Pyrenees, near to the village of Vicdessos, Ariege, France
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Log Text: Drive south from Toulouse with the intention of climbing the Pic des Trois Seigneurs, have to stop, too much snow at 2055m. Superb up here. Back via Aulus, Arse, Seix. Strange language spoken out here. On the way down, stop to look at the Dolmen de Sem, also know as Palet de Sanson. A remarkably sited dolmen in the Pyrenees, near to the village of Vicdessos, Ariege, France. Pictures taken 1st May 2000. I discovered this dolmen while driving up the valley on a day trip to climb the Pic des Trois Seigneurs (I failed to get to the top due to the depth of the snow on the final ridge), which may be the mountain in the left background of this picture.
Piquecos tumulus
Trip No.200 Entry No.45 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Chambered Tomb
Country: France (Midi:Tarn-et-Garonne (82))
Visited: Couldn't find on 28th May 2000
Log Text: Drive north from Toulouse to explore Montauban, Castelsarrasin, Caussade. Had a quick look for these things marked on my map, but found nothing
Autel Druidique de Saint-Jean
Trip No.200 Entry No.46 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Holed Stone
Country: France (Midi:Tarn-et-Garonne (82))
Visited: Couldn't find on 28th May 2000
Autel Druidique de Saint-Jean submitted by lafemmedepierre on 22nd Jun 2019. Site in Midi:Tarn-et-Garonne (82) France
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Log Text: Drive north from Toulouse to explore Montauban, Castelsarrasin, Caussade. Had a quick look for these things marked on my map, but found nothing
Tourenne Gallo-Roman Villa
Trip No.200 Entry No.56 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement
Country: France (Midi:Haute-Garonne (31))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jul 2000. My rating: Access 5
Log Text: Drive west from Toulouse to explore Gascony. Montmaurin, Mielan, Mirande, Condom, St Puy, Fleurance, Mauvezin, Cologne. Fields of sunflowers, beautiful. Stopped by this Roman villa, but it was going to take too long for a proper visit, so satisfied myself with a look over the hedge from the car park.
Grottes et abris préhistoriques de la vallée de la Save
Trip No.200 Entry No.55 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Haute-Garonne (31))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jul 2000. My rating: Ambience 4 Access 5
Grottes et abris préhistoriques de la vallée de la Save submitted by TheCaptain on 28th Nov 2010. In the gorges of the river Save, just below the village of Lespugue, can be found many caves and shelters which have yielded ancient remains of habitation from up to 30,000 years ago.
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Log Text: Drive west from Toulouse to explore Gascony. Montmaurin, Mielan, Mirande, Condom, St Puy, Fleurance, Mauvezin, Cologne. Fields of sunflowers, beautiful. An intriguing little road through a gorge with lots of cliff shelters and cave which contained ancient remains.
Pierre levée de Picarel
Trip No.200 Entry No.5 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Languedoc:Aude (11))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 26th Mar 2000
Pierre levée de Picarel submitted by johnstone on 23rd Nov 2018. The west side, Sep.13, 2018
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Log Text: Seen from the road during a drive SE from Toulouse to explore Les Montagnes Noire. Revel, Saissac, Mas Cabardès, Chateaux de Lastours, Gorges de la Clamoux, Dolmens, Mazamet, Toulouse.
Saint-Paul Dolmen
Trip No.200 Entry No.4 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Midi:Tarn (81))
Visited: Couldn't find on 19th Mar 2000
Saint-Paul Dolmen submitted by thecaptain on 26th Jan 2006. Up in the hills covered with vineyards for the lovely Gaillac wine, can be found this relatively large dolmen.
The large white capstone is 2 metres off the ground covering a chamber 4 metres by 2 metres, with the usual two sidestones and a backstone. The northern side slab is broken, and only survives at the front half of the chamber.
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Log Text: Drive NE from Toulouse to visit Cordes-sur-Ciel and explore the area. On the way back visit Vaour, and also a quick look for this dolmen marked on the map before a stop at Castelnau-de-Montmiral. I saw nothing obvious from the car,
Peyralade Dolmen
Trip No.200 Entry No.3 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Midi:Tarn (81))
Visited: Yes on 19th Mar 2000. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 5
Peyralade Dolmen submitted by thecaptain on 6th Dec 2003. The Dolmen de Peyralade, near to the village of Vaur, Tarn Southwest France.
This dolmen is on the top of the plateau which the Aveyron river cuts through in a splendid gorge.
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Log Text: A day driving NE from Toulouse. L’Isle-sur-Tarn, Gaillac, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Vaour, 2 Dolmens, Castelnau-de-Montmiral. The Dolmen de Peyralade, is near to the village of Vaur, Tarn Southwest France. This dolmen is on the top of the plateau which the Aveyron river cuts through in a splendid gorge.
Grotte de Niaux
Trip No.200 Entry No.15 Date Added: 17th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 16th Apr 2000. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 5 Access 4
Grotte de la Petite Caougno submitted by thecaptain on 14th Feb 2005. The main entrance to the fabulous Niaux cave used for visitors is now further up the hillside than it once was. In ancient times, there would have been several lower, smaller entrances. This picture is of one of the small side entrances to a cave shelter in the vicinity, in which ancient remains have been found.
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Log Text: Full guided visit Grotte de Niaux with Sean. Fabulous. So glad I booked this up last week.
Dolmen de Tella
Trip No.200 Entry No.75 Date Added: 18th Jun 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: Spain (Aragón)
Visited: Yes on 8th Sep 2000. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 5 Access 4
Dolmen de Tella submitted by thecaptain on 2nd Dec 2003. The Dolmen de Tella in the Spanish Pyrenees. A few miles to the south of Bielsa, a road climbs towards the top of the mountain with the ancient village of Tella at the top. Before reaching the top, there is this most spectacularly situated dolmen.
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Log Text: Ten days touring and exploring in the Pyrenees. Drive from St-Lary-Soulan through the Tunnel de Bielsa into Spain. Bielsa, Tella, Ainsa, then long way to Torla-Ordesa. this is a magnificently situated dolmen, high up on the mountainside below the village of Tella in the Spanish Pyrenees. A few miles to the south of Bielsa, a road climbs towards the top of the mountain with the ancient village of Tella at the top. Before reaching the top, there is this most spectacularly situated dolmen.