Contributory members are able to log private notes and comments about each site
Sites TheCaptain has logged. View this log as a table or view the most recent logs from everyone
Menhirs du Col des Faïsses
Trip No.205 Entry No.220 Date Added: 1st Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stones
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 5
Menhirs du Col des Faïsses submitted by johnstone on 29th May 2018. The big one measures about 2m, in front of the information panels, June 23, 2008
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: At the north western end of the section of the Corniche-des-Cévennes along the high Causse near Le Hospitalet, can be seen several other similar looking standing stones.
Montjoie de la Can de l'Hospitalet D
Trip No.205 Entry No.216 Date Added: 1st Dec 2020
Site Type: Marker Stone
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 5
Montjoie de la Can de l'Hospitalet D submitted by regina on 24th Dec 2020. Site in Languedoc:Lozère (48) France
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Seen while driving north along the Corniche-des-Cévennes road passing over the high ground to the north of Le Pompidou.
Montjoie de la Can de l'Hospitalet C
Trip No.205 Entry No.217 Date Added: 1st Dec 2020
Site Type: Marker Stone
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 5
Montjoie de la Can de l'Hospitalet C submitted by regina on 24th Dec 2020. Site in Languedoc:Lozère (48) France
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Seen while driving north along the Corniche-des-Cévennes road passing over the high ground to the north of Le Pompidou.
Montjoie de la Can de l'Hospitalet A
Trip No.205 Entry No.218 Date Added: 1st Dec 2020
Site Type: Marker Stone
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 5
Montjoie de la Can de l'Hospitalet A submitted by regina on 22nd Dec 2020. Site in Languedoc:Lozère (48) France
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Seen while driving north along the Corniche-des-Cévennes road passing over the high ground to the north of Le Pompidou.
Montmirat menhirs
Trip No.205 Entry No.221 Date Added: 6th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stones
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 25th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 5
Montmirat menhirs submitted by ocdolmen on 29th Aug 2006. The menhir of the Col de Montmirat is the only survivor of an initial group of 9 menhirs. It was christianized with the installation of an iron cross at the top of the stone. The holes on the stone are old tests of cutting up by carriers. Height: 1.70 meter.
With a few meters from there, one can see the vestiges of 2 broken and cut down menhirs.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: At the top of the Col de Montmirat, on the main road from Florac to Mende, can be found this menhir. It is just beside the road which goes west towards Montmirat hamlet, at an altitude of 1050m. About 2 metres tall, it has an iron cross mounted on top of it, and has also been used as a roadsign in the past. Supposedly it is the only survivor of a group of menhirs once here.
Menhir du Col de Solperiére
Trip No.205 Entry No.219 Date Added: 1st Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 5
Menhir du Col de Solperiére submitted by ocdolmen on 24th May 2009. Site in Languedoc: Lozère (48) France: Col de Solperière menhir (re-used and re-shaped monolith)
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: At the north western end of the section of the Corniche-des-Cévennes along the high Causse near Le Hospitalet, where the road from Vebron joins at the Col de Solperière, can be found this menhir in the junction of the roads.
It stands about 2.3 metres high like its neighbour of a few kilometres distance, and has also been used as a road marker in the past, with some probable reshaping in the relatively recent past. Between these two stones, along the roadside, are several other similar looking standing stones. Closer inspection however shows that they are much more recent, with quarrying marks etc, and are purely more modern road markers.
La Baraque de l'Estrade
Trip No.205 Entry No.222 Date Added: 6th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 25th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4 Access 4
La Baraque de l'Estrade submitted by johnstone on 12th Apr 2020. The capstone in the middle is gone, gives a good look inside, July 22, 1999
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Further along the D.35 from Montmirat, just before the junction with the D.31, a decent sized tumulus can be seen in the fields on the left, about 80 metres from the road. The mound is oval, about 15m by 12m and up to 2 m high. In the centre of this is a sort of double dolmen, with two joined chambers, each having two side slabs and a capstone. The western of the two has a backstone, while the eastern has a drystone walled end. The total length of the chamber is about 6 metres, and up to 2 metres wide at the centre. The floor to the chambers is paved, and there is not much more than a metre in height below the capstones. The two chambers do not align directly, but the general orientation is east to west, at about 100°, and the chambers are completely contained within the mound. This has of course been restored, but a very nice find.
Fraissinel Dolmen
Trip No.205 Entry No.223 Date Added: 6th Dec 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Couldn't find on 25th Sep 2005
Fraissinel dolmen submitted by regina on 20th Oct 2011. Site in Languedoc:Lozère (48) France
dolmen du Fraissinel N44.44027 E3.49693
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: I could find nowhere to park my campervan around here, so ended up turning round and going back, which was easier said than done! However, the menhir standing up on the top of its little hillock can be seen for miles around, and looks to be about 2.5 metres tall.
Menhir de Fraissinel
Trip No.205 Entry No.224 Date Added: 6th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 25th Sep 2005
Menhir de Fraissinel submitted by regina on 20th Oct 2011. Site in Languedoc:Lozère (48) France
The menhir is about 2.50m high
N44.43841 E3.49464
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: I could find nowhere to park my campervan around here, so ended up turning round and going back, which was easier said than done! However, the menhir standing up on the top of its little hillock can be seen for miles around, and looks to be about 2.5 metres tall.
Menhirs de la Fage A
Trip No.205 Entry No.226 Date Added: 6th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stones
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Couldn't find on 25th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 4
Menhirs de la Fage A submitted by ocdolmen on 29th Aug 2006. on 28th of August 2006 beside a menhir of group1 of la fage, Bondons menhirs group, Lozère, France.
originally, there was 20 menhirs composing sub-group 1 of Fage, group on the Bondons (150 menhirs); Not long ago, all the menhirs were lying on the ground. They are in the course of rélèvement and the majority are today upright. A part disappeared certainly re-used by the peasants from the surroundings (various constructions).
Their sizes are between 1 meter to 1.85 meter tall.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Take the D.35 road east from the Col de Montmirat for just under 4 kilometres, and there is a signpost to menhirs down a footpath on the right. However, when I visited, this footpath takes you through a field of vicious looking cows, so I did not venture any further. Supposedly there are 15 small menhirs to be found in the woods, should you choose to go here.
Menhirs de la Fage B
Trip No.205 Entry No.228 Date Added: 6th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stones
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 25th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 4
Menhirs de la Fage B submitted by ocdolmen on 5th Aug 2006. La Fage group 2, Lozère, France.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: In the area around the Pierre des Trois Communes, can be seen dozens of menhirs, which are collectively known as the La Fage menhirs B, or the Combettes menhirs. It was impossible to visit them all in the short time I was here, so I will add the few that I did go to visit at first hand.
Vaissière Menhirs
Trip No.205 Entry No.246 Date Added: 7th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stones
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Yes on 25th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 4
Vaissière menhirs submitted by ocdolmen on 5th Aug 2006. Site in Languedoc:Lozère (48)
One of the 40 menhirs of la Vaissière menhirs group, Lozère, France.
This one is 2.50 metres tall.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: The Vaissière menhirs consist of more than forty menhirs, mostly found along the ridge running south from the D.35 road. The tallest of these menhirs is 5 metres in height. Some of these menhirs stand up really proudly against the skyline as you drive along. I would love to walk out among them, but not in this horrible stormy weather. There is much thunder, rain and lightning all around, with no signs of it clearing.
Menhirs dit de la Maisonnette 2
Trip No.205 Entry No.247 Date Added: 7th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 25th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 4
Menhirs dit de la Maisonnette 2 submitted by Aska on 20th Oct 2010. Site in Languedoc: Lozère (48) France
Triangle of menhirs on the hill close to D35 road.
44.41490N,3.63194E
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: As I was driving past in the rain, I could see another hiltop covered in standing stones, where a possible cromlech has been identified here.
Baraque de l'Air Menhirs
Trip No.205 Entry No.248 Date Added: 7th Dec 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Languedoc:Lozère (48))
Visited: Saw from a distance on 25th Sep 2005. My rating: Access 4
Baraque de l'Air menhirs submitted by ocdolmen on 5th Aug 2006. Site in Languedoc:Lozère (48)
Baraque de l'Air menhirs, Lozère, France.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: I drove for a look in the rain, I could see another hilltop covered in standing stones, where a possible cromlech has been identified.
La Caune de l'Arago
Trip No.205 Entry No.86 Date Added: 28th Oct 2020
Site Type: Cave or Rock Shelter
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Saw from a distance on 12th Sep 2005
La Caune de l'Arago submitted by thecaptain on 16th Dec 2005. In a very pretty part of the world up on a cliff face above the vinyards, this is the cave where the skull of Tautavel man, one of the oldest known Europeans, was found.
This is of course all shut off to the public with buildings and shelters around it, as the excavations and research continue, 35 years after the finding of the ancient skull.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: In a very pretty part of the world up on a cliff face above the vinyards, this is the cave where Tautavel man was found. Its a kilometer or so south of the town, up on a rugged hill near where the river cuts a gorge through the hills. This is of course all shut off to the public with buildings and shelters around it, as the excavations and research continue, 35 years after the finding of the ancient skull.
Tautavel Musee de Prehistoire
Trip No.205 Entry No.85 Date Added: 28th Oct 2020
Site Type: Museum
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Yes on 12th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4
Tautavel Musee de Prehistoire submitted by thecaptain on 16th Dec 2005. Museum in the village of Tautavel in the French departement of Pyrénées-Orientales, which is the home to one of the oldest known European Humans.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: I only came here to get a photo, assuming the museum would be closed on a Monday, but it was open, so thought I'd better go in. The museum contains hundreds of thousands of items found at the nearby Caune de l'Arago cave, where the remains of a human skull was found in July 1971, the skull being known as Arago item 21. Since then many others have been found, along with items of their food, tools etc etc. The finds have been dated to about 450,000 BC, and thus are amongst the earliest remains of humans found in Europe.
Tautavel man lead a life of hunting, and this is all displayed here also, with remains of many animals and suchlike which would have been around at that time. Tautavel man, however, is not an ancester of ours, as he lead up to Neanderthal man, which died out 30,000 years ago, to be replaced by Cro Magnon man.
While this should all have been very interesting, I have to admit to finding many of the displays quite dull and repetitive, and the awful American voice talking down to me in the audio guide was enough to put me right off. The whole museum seemed a bit 1970's and showing signs of age. The displays mostly consisted of bones and tools in glass cases, video presentations of certain things, and staged scenes using mannequins, with lots of keep off and don't touch signs. In my recent travels, I have seen many much better presented museums which bring the subject to life.
Bélesta Museum of prehistory
Trip No.205 Entry No.88 Date Added: 28th Oct 2020
Site Type: Museum
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Saw from a distance on 12th Sep 2005
Bélesta Museum of prehistory submitted by thecaptain on 3rd Mar 2006. Supposedly excellent museum located in the chateau in centre of the village of Bélesta in Pyrénées-Orientales.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Blimey, the roads round here are twisty and tight. There was no way I was able to park the van anywhere near the village for a look at this. So I had to give up totally on any thoughts of a visit to this supposedly excellent museum.
Peyro Dreta
Trip No.205 Entry No.90 Date Added: 28th Oct 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir)
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Yes on 12th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 3 Access 4
Peyro Dreta submitted by thecaptain on 3rd Mar 2006. This fallen and broken menhir, once more than 4 metres tall, has beautiful views over the Fenouillades valley to the north, with Queribus castle and Tautavel clearly visible.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: This fallen and broken menhir, once more than 4 metres tall, has beautiful views over the Fenouillades valley to the north, with Queribus castle and Tautavel clearly visible. The menhir can be found about a kilometres walk down a dirt track amongst the vines, about 0.7 kilometres to the west of the Col de Bataille. The start of the track is easy to find, as it is marked with a large menhir like stone at the junction beside the vineyards. Perhaps this stone itself was once a proper menhir, which has now been re-erected.
Puijols tumulus
Trip No.205 Entry No.87 Date Added: 28th Oct 2020
Site Type: Artificial Mound
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Saw from a distance on 12th Sep 2005
Puijols tumulus submitted by thecaptain on 4th Mar 2006. To the northwest of the village of Tautavel is a massive mound, which must be about 100 metres in diameter and 20 metres high, complete with terracing where grapes have been grown on it !
A local map clearly marks it as a tumulus.
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: Just to the northwest of the village of Tautavel, on the opposite side of the river, is a massive tumulus, which must be about 100 metres in diameter and 20 metres high, complete with terracing and grapes growing on it !
Moli del Vent
Trip No.205 Entry No.89 Date Added: 28th Oct 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen
Country: France (Languedoc:Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
Visited: Yes on 12th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 5 Access 4
Moli del Vent submitted by thecaptain on 3rd Mar 2006. The little chamber is approached from the south by a corridor from the edge of the cairn, made with a few upright slabs and drystone walling.
The chamber is topped by a gorgeously shaped capstone
(View photo, vote or add a comment)
Log Text: At the top of the hill to the north west of the village of Bélesta can be found the superb but restored remains of this lovely little dolmen-a-couloir. The little chamber is about 2 metres by 1 metre, and the south side is approached by a corridor 5 metres long from the edge of the cairn, made with a few upright slabs and drystone walling. The chamber has an upright slab at each side, and two back slabs, topped by a gorgeously shaped capstone about 3m by 2m. The whole thing is contained within a round cairn, about 9 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres high.
The views from up here are superb, the Fenouillades valley to the north, and the Canigou brooding in amongst the clouds to the south west today. The dolmen is less than a kilometre walk up a good track from a junction of minor roads with plenty of space for parking, and is well worth the effort. It is possible that there are remains of other monuments round the area.