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Grotte de Lombrives
Trip No.205 Entry No.74 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 11th Sep 2005
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: This is said to be the biggest cave in Europe, and has a complex arrangement of 25 different types of visit. Or in my case, none at all !
Source de Fontestorbes
Trip No.205 Entry No.78 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Holy Well or Sacred Spring
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 11th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 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: This is a very interesting place, one of only a few known examples in the world, with its intermittant spring gushing from a cave in a cliff face beside the road, well signposted a kilometre or so to the south of the little Pyrenean town of Belesta. In the dry summer months, due to a complex and not fully understood syphoning mechanism, the spring alternates between full flowing river, and barely a trickle, on an approximately hourly cycle for about 4 months of the year.
The place has been well done up since I was last here 5 years ago, with new parking area, a pedestrian bridge built over the stream, and a building with shop and cafe facilities, with more planned such as a picnic site and nature walk, and there were quite a lot of people here.
When I arrived, the spring was gushing quite a lot, the water easily covering the little steps across the entrance into the cave, just as it was every other time I have visited here in the past (I think I have been here about 4 times before, and never seen the spring dry up). So I went for a look round the little info centre, which now has a bar and lots of information about various tourist places and things, and was being run by a nice friendly couple, and it even has information leaflets about the spring in English these days. This explains the best understanding of the springs working, and states that it does not start cycling until after a long dry spell in the summer (I had always been in spring or early summer before).
As I left the centre, and had another look at the spring, it seemed to be slowing down. After another 5 minutes, the flow had lowered enough that a chap could walk across the steps and into the cave. Ten minutes later, it had slowed right down to a trickle, allowing people to walk across the stepping stones into the cave. It was not easy to see where the water comes from, it must be somewhere under the floor of the pond.
As would be expected of such a strange place, it has been revered since time immemorial, and of course there are many legends and stories associated with it. Excellent, I have at last seen this thing at work !
Cap-Del Pouech Dolmen
Trip No.205 Entry No.71 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 10th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4
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 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: Decided its silly to have come to Mas d'Azil and not gone to visit the dolmen, as it is signposted from the village, and you can drive up a narrow windy lane almost right to it, and theres a place to park just a few hundred metres from the dolmen.
It looks to me to have been re-erected at some point in the past, with one of its little supports possibly being concreted in. A large limestone capstone, 3.5 metres by 2.5 metres, sits high on top of 4 support stones, one backstone, one large and two smaller side stones. The chamber is 2.5 by 1.5 metres, and positioned on a little limestone outcrop with possibly some traces of a cairn around it.
Unfortunately, the poor thing has succumbed to the usual problems of graffitti and broken beer bottles. The dolmen de Brillaud is signposted from here, and I am tempted.....
Grotte de Niaux
Trip No.205 Entry No.77 Date Added: 15th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 11th Sep 2005. 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: The world famous cave, known for its tremendous paintings of bison and horses, is easily found just up a small valley to the west of Tarascon, and is signposted from all around, you can hardly miss it. The cave is up the hillside from the village of Niaux with its museum, and is situated opposite to the Grotte de la Vache.
The modern day entrance, with its rusting iron "artwork" is high up the hillside in an enormous opening, which was not the original entrance to the cave in ancient times, which was further down in the valley. Visits are year round, but only a few people are allowed in on any day to help preserve the conditions inside, so it is usually necessary to book your visit in advance.
Grotte de Mas D'Azil
Trip No.200 Entry No.25 Date Added: 18th Jun 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 24th Apr 2005. 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: A lovely sunny day to explore the Ariege mountains. Puivert castle. Fontestorbes. Montsegur Castle. Pass de ? closed. Plain de ? Ax-les-Thermes, Col de Portel, scary roads. The usual drive through of Mas D’Azil on the way home to impress visitors. Get back to Toulouse late.
Montségur
Trip No.200 Entry No.36 Date Added: 18th Jun 2020
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement
Country: France (Midi:Ariège (09))
Visited: Yes on 14th May 2000
Montségur submitted by thecaptain on 16th Feb 2005. Montségur Pog, seen here from the southwest, has been inhabited and defended since neolithic times.
But it is more well known for its Cathar castle, and as the site of the slaughter of the last of the Cathars by the catholic church in 1244.
The Castle dungeon has a strange solar event each summer solstice, as the first rays of the rising sun shine right through the two arrow slots on one side, and straight out through two others on the far side. Was this built into it deliberately ? One mi...
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Log Text: Dad over to Toulouse for a long weekend. Explore Mirepoix. Montsegur, Couiza, Rennes-le-Chateau, very strange place. Gorges St George upper Aude valley, Col de Pailleres (2001m). Ax-les-Thermes, Tarascon, Foix, and back to Toulouse.
Bras Dolmen
Trip No.205 Entry No.23 Date Added: 14th Oct 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 31st Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 5 Access 4
Bras dolmen submitted by thecaptain on 7th Oct 2005. Bras dolmen, near the village of Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles.
A little cracker.
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Log Text: This beautiful little dolmen is fairly easily found to the south of the village of Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles along the D.44 road. Just to the north of where the road crosses the river Benaize is a place to park and a signposted footpath to the west. The footpath is well marked with orange marks, and after a couple of hundred metres walk turn right and go up the hill for a further hundred metres.
The dolmen has a rectangular chamber, 3.5 metres by 2 metres, built on the hillside overlooking the river, and it is open to the south. The single granite capstone is 4 metres long by 3 metres wide, and a lovely curved shape, looking from certain directions like an elongated mushroom. It sits on top of seven support stones, with a couple more fallen below it. There are remains of a mound around it, circular and approximately 15 metres in diameter. It is possible that there was once an entry passage, as there are signs of side set slabs on the down slope from the dolmen. The stones here are covered with lots of nice moss. This is such a nice dolmen I was inspired to try and do a little drawing or two.
Pierre Levée au Bois Bouéry
Trip No.205 Entry No.21 Date Added: 14th Oct 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 31st Aug 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 5 Access 4
Pierre Levée au Bois Bouéry submitted by thecaptain on 20th Feb 2006. In the forest to the southwest of Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles, this lovely dolmen is easily found as it is signposted from the D.2 road, and it resides in a little forest clearing.
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Log Text: In the forest to the southwest of Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles, this dolmen is easily found as it is signposted from the D.2 road, several kilometres to the north. From the road that leads to the dolmen, it is just a hundred metres walk from a parking place, and it resides in a little forest clearing.
The dolmen is quite a big one, made from granite rocks. The capstone is sort of mushroom shaped, and about 5 metres in diameter. It sits on top of 5 support stones, with at least one other fallen, and is about 1.5 metres off the ground. It covers an oval shaped chamber 4 metres by 3 metres internal dimensions with the probable entrance to the east. The support stone at the northern side appears to have engravings on it, and I would put money on the markings not being natural. Near to the ground is a classic palette about 40 cm long pointing towards the right, and above this a classic necklace and breasts, or else a smiley face. I have not seen any reference to there being carvings here.
Betoulle dolmen 2
Trip No.204 Entry No.165 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 21st Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4
Betoulle dolmen 2 submitted by thecaptain on 9th May 2006. Betoulle dolmen 1 in the late evening sunshine, July 2005.
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Log Text: This is another nice dolmen, found just inside a fieldby the roadside a few kilometres south of Berneuil. You can find it by turning left at the crossroads near La Lue dolmen, and travelling a couple of kilometres until just past the big road on the right.
It is a nice tall dolmen with a nice capstone sat upon six support stones, covering a chamber 3 m by 2 m. Closer inspection again shows a reconstruction job, with some cemented together broken stones. Perhaps this was completely enclosed, but the entrance today is again to the west. A few other stones and chunks lie nearby.
Bagnol Dolmen
Trip No.204 Entry No.172 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Bagnol Dolmen submitted by theCaptain on 26th Jul 2011. Just beside the D.7 Road to the east of the station at Fromental is found this nice little dolmen, with a parking space and picnic area.
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Log Text: Just beside the D.7 Road to the east of the station at Fromental is found this nice little dolmen, with a parking space and picnic area. The egg shaped capstone covers an oval chamber about 3 metres long and 2 metres wide. The pointed end points to the west, sitting on four slide slabs about 1.8 metres above the ground. It is open to both east and west ends.
Menhir des Fichades
Trip No.204 Entry No.173 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Menhir des Fichades submitted by theCaptain on 26th Jul 2011. The Menhir des Fichades stands in a field beside a wood, just above a little stream, and I suspect it was a natural rock which has been stood up, as there are many other rocks like this in the little valley above the stream.
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Log Text: At the hamlet of Grand Bagnols, on the D.7 Road, take the little side lane to the south (best to park and walk). The Menhir des Fichades is signposted and only a couple of hundred metres from the road. It stands in a field beside a wood, just above a little stream, and I suspect it was a natural rock which has been stood up, as there are many other rocks like this in the little valley above the stream. It stands about 3 metres tall, and is nicely shaped with a curved top.
Rouffignac Dolmen
Trip No.204 Entry No.170 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4
Rouffignac Dolmen submitted by theCaptain on 26th Jul 2012. The capstone has several 30 mm cupules carved into it, and also a fairly large diameter circle - or semi circle at least, which I think must be relatively modern.
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Log Text: From the hamlet of Rouffignac, this little dolmen is signposted and easily found, about 400 metres along the track opposite the farm, first to the west, and then south (left) into a little recently cleared area amongst thet trees. The dolmen is a simple thing, with a 2.5 by 2.5 metre capstone sat on three upright supports, about one metre above the ground. The capstone has several 30 mm cupules carved into it, and also a fairly large diameter circle - or semi circle at least, which I think must be relatively modern.
Ceinturat Menhir
Trip No.204 Entry No.168 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4
Ceinturat Menhir submitted by theCaptain on 31st Jul 2012. These days it is in a little woodland clearing, surrounded on one side by oak forest, the other by gorse and bracken. Shaded by the trees as it is, it looks like it is a stone tree trunk with branches growing out of it.
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Log Text: "Megalithes" are signposted to the south of Montemart, and following these signs takes you first to a parking place from where a 700 metre walk to the Ceinturat Menhir can be taken. I was surprised by how big it is, as it is taller than 5 metres and looks like the top has been broken off. It has a flat north face, but a rounded southern face, which faces downhill. These days it is in a little woodland clearing, surrounded on one side by oak forest, the other by gorse and bracken. Shaded by the trees as it is, it looks like it is a stone tree trunk with branches growing out of it. A nice start to the day.
Pierre a Cupules (Arnac)
Trip No.204 Entry No.169 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 22nd Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 3 Access 5
Pierre a Cupules (Arnac) submitted by theCaptain on 27th Jul 2012. On the northern face, also flattened, the whole stone is covered with these cupules, loads and loads of them. There must be at least a hundred.
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Log Text: On a green grassy area at the southern edge of the village of Arnac, is found this nice standing stone, standing about 2.5 metres tall. But the noticeable thing about this stone are all the cupules, or cupmarks, engraved into it.
Not immediately obvious in the mid day sunshine, but the first marks to stand out are on the southeast edge, where there appears to be a couple of rows of 35 mm diameter holes running in a line up the edge. Closer inspection shows a very flat southern face - possibly with checkerboard markings on it, and cupules running up the edges from top to bottom. On the northern face, also flattened, the whole stone is covered with these cupules, loads and loads of them. There must be at least a hundred. There does not appear to be anything on the two sides of the stone.
La Lue Dolmen
Trip No.204 Entry No.163 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 21st Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4
La Lue dolmen submitted by TheCaptain on 23rd Jul 2013. A couple of kilometres to the west of Berneuil can be found the dolmen de Lalue.
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Log Text: To the west of Berneuil, travel a couple of kilometres along the D.83 and you come to this dolmen at a bend in the road, just after a crossroads, where it is about 30 metres into the field. It has a 4 m by 2 m chamber facing east, made of two long sidestones and with two smaller stones at the back of the chamber, which are made of a different coloured rock. I wonder if it has been "restored". It is covered by a large single capstone about 5m by 4m, but this is now cracked and broken into two pieces. There are traces of a small stone mound around it.
Borderie Dolmen
Trip No.204 Entry No.164 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 21st Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4
Borderie dolmen submitted by TheCaptain on 24th Jul 2013. This is a very pleasant and nice looking dolmen on first sight, standing almost 2 metres tall. But closer inspection leaves me wondering about its authenticity. Firstly there is a fence built right through it, and secondly the entrance, with a fallen stone, is to the west.
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Log Text: A couple of kilometres west of Berneuil, along the D.83, turn right at the crossroads besides the La Lue dolmen. After a couple of hundred metres there is a trackway to the right, and signposted "dolmen", and then walk along there for another couple of hundred metres.
This is a very pleasant and nice looking dolmen on first sight, standing almost 2 metres tall. But closer inspection leaves me wondering about its authenticity. Firstly there is a fence built right through it, and secondly the entrance, with a fallen stone, is to the west. Inspection of the support stones shows many of them to have been broken and cemented back together from fragments. It is obviously a reconstruction of some sort, but how accurate I would not like to say. However, the chamber is about 3.5 m by 2.5 m with a nice capstone sitting proudly on top at head height.
Betoulle dolmen 1
Trip No.204 Entry No.166 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Yes on 21st Jul 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 4
Betoulle dolmen 1 submitted by milka on 3rd May 2006. This dolmen is about 30m from Betoulle Dolmen n°1.
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Log Text: I spent quite some time looking for the second dolmen here, in all the hedges and adjacent fields nearby. But never just a few yards across the same field, where a large slab can be found ! Doh !
Betoulle dolmen 3
Trip No.204 Entry No.167 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 21st Jul 2005
Betoulle dolmen 3 submitted by irundarra on 11th May 2011. Site in Berneuil (HAUTE VIENNE)
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Log Text: Some stone slab remains at the base of a tree in the field the other side of the road.
Menhir du Pic
Trip No.204 Entry No.171 Date Added: 20th Aug 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Couldn't find on 22nd Jul 2005
Menhir du Pic submitted by milka on 3rd May 2006. This menhir is broken and it has been restored in 1985. Its total height is 5.30m.
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Log Text: I could not find this.
Dolmen de l'Héritière
Trip No.205 Entry No.22 Date Added: 14th Oct 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Limousin:Haute-Vienne (87))
Visited: Couldn't find on 31st Aug 2005
Dolmen de l'Héritière submitted by ocdolmen on 25th May 2009. Near Arnac la Poste, the dolmen of l'Héritière
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Log Text: To the southwest of Saint-Sulpice-les-Feuilles, between Bouéry and Bras dolmens, in the commune of Arnac-la-Poste, is another dolmen marked on my ign 1:100,000 map, near to the hamlet of L'Ecluse. At the road junction, there was a sign with a dolmen marked on it, with a name something like Le Pau Montbugnard. But following the sign, I was unable to find another, and was not able to find the dolmen. Parking along these little roads was difficult, so I was not able to get out and have a proper look around in the fields and woods. Shame, because the other two round here are little crackers. I could not find a detailed map to look at in either St-Sulpice or Arnac.