Menhir le Bâton de Samson

Trip No.205  Entry No.211  Date Added: 30th Nov 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Yes on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: From the village of Ambruze, take the D.133 towards St Felix-de-Pailleres. After a kilometre or two up the hill, there is a turning to the left to Le Jouffre and Lotissement de Menhir. A couple of hundred metres down here, taking first the lower, left, road, then to the right, there is a little wooded area with a pathway entering. The menhir is in here, and about 4 metres tall, of a squarish cross section. It has some nice weathering on one of its sides, all full of holes.

La Pierre Bamboche 2

Trip No.205  Entry No.210  Date Added: 30th Nov 2020
Site Type: Standing Stone (Menhir) Country: France (Languedoc:Gard (30))
Visited: Yes on 24th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 2 Access 5

Log Text: Nearby to the La Pierre Bamboche can be found the remains of another menhir, now fallen and broken. The remains can be found about 30 metres away, in the direction of Sanilhac.

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.

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.

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.

Carrières Dolmen

Trip No.205  Entry No.190  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Yes on 20th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 2 Access 4

Log Text: Just outside the little town of Viols-le-Fort, to the west, take the road south towards the quarry. After 300 m the road either enters the quarry or goes around to the left. Park here. In the woods just to the right, beyond an old disused little quarry can be found the remains of this dolmen, with its massive backslab giving its position away. It is in a large mound of stones, and got lots of rubbish strewn about all over it.

The massive chamber is about 4 metres square, and apart from the 6 metre by 3 metre high backslab, is made using drystone vaulting. There seems to be an anti-chamber, 2m by 2m before an entry passageway opening west at about 250°, bu it is a bit of a mess at this end. There appears to be a ring of large slabs around the outside. Apart from all the junk, this would be a pretty impressive monument, and would be a prime contender for some sort of restoration.

La Draille Dolmen

Trip No.205  Entry No.189  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Yes on 20th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 3

Log Text: Just to the north of the little town of Viols-le-Fort, take the little road towards Cazarils, and park by a little clearing in the wood after about 1.5 km, not quite at the top of the hill. Here there is a footpath into the woods, well marked with blue markers. Follow this zig-zag path for about 300 metres and you soon find the nice little Cazarils tombe ovale 1, with a bit further on the second one. At this point the blue paint marker points have become very faint, and are very hard to follow, and the path could go anywhere in this scrub. Take a track to the right, and after about 150 metres of zig zagging about through the scrub and over difficult loose stone you should reach this dolmen. Watch out in particular for a large pot hole before you get there, it looks to be very deep.

The dolmen is contained within a large mound of stones with a drystone wall built over the top of it. The chamber still has a capstone but is drystone walled, about 5m long by 2 m wide. It has a very long entrance passageway which is slab lined, and about 7 metres in length, leading off towards the south west at about 235° again. This number keeps cropping up around these parts.

Cazarils tombe ovale 2

Trip No.205  Entry No.188  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Chambered Tomb Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Yes on 20th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 4 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: About 50 metres further round on the footpath from Cazarils tombe ovale 1, is found this second oval tomb, but it is hiding in the bushes a bit. It is much bigger than the first, but does not have the wonderful carved headstone. The inner chamber is about 4m by 2.5m, and the walls are generally 1m high. It's cairn of stones is much bigger also, but unfortunately was getting very overgrown with bushes, making photos of the whole thing very difficult.

Cazarils tombe ovale 1

Trip No.205  Entry No.187  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Chambered Tomb Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Yes on 20th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 4 Access 4

Log Text: Just to the north of the little town of Viols-le-Fort, take the little road towasrds Cazarils, and park by a little clearing in the wood after about 1.5 km, not quite at the top of the hill. Here there is a footpath into the woods, well marked with blue markers. Follow this zig-zag path for about 300 metres and you soon find this nice little oval tomb, a style found regularly round these parts.

The outer edge of the tomb is about 8m by 6m, with the inner chamber about 4m by 2.5m, and open to the north. the inner edge of the chamber is formed of many upright slabs, generally about half a metre high. At the back of the chamber is a carved stone (a copy, as the original is safely kept in a museum) with a sort of face carved into it. It is quite well known, I have seen it before in many places. This is a pleasant little place, with sheep bells clanging all around.

Dolmen de Cambous

Trip No.205  Entry No.186  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Burial Chamber or Dolmen Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Yes on 20th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 3 Ambience 3 Access 4

Log Text: Just outside the ancient village take a path eastwards along the edge of the wood from near to the sheep pond for about 200 metres, and you will get to this dolmen. There is a round cairn of stones about 10 metres in diameter, with two concentric circles of dressed stone around it. At the centre is a chamber, made with drystone walling except for the backstone and two entrance stones, but it is not very big at about 2m by 1m. There is no sign of any capstone.

Cambous oval tombs

Trip No.205  Entry No.185  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Chambered Cairn Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Yes on 20th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 2 Ambience 2 Access 4

Log Text: Just outside the ancient village can be seen the remains of at least one ruined chambered tomb, which I assume to be of the oval tomb type.

Village Préhistorique de Cambous

Trip No.205  Entry No.184  Date Added: 25th Nov 2020
Site Type: Ancient Village or Settlement Country: France (Languedoc:Hérault (34))
Visited: Yes on 20th Sep 2005. My rating: Condition 5 Ambience 4

Log Text: This is a 5000 year old village with two groups of houses found at Viols Laval, just to the south of St Martin-de-Londres, and is easily found because it is signposted from all around. To get there, park in the village and it is about an 800 metre walk to the site, but unfortunately for me towards the end of September, it had just shut last weekend and would not be open again until next easter !

However, despite not being able to get into the fenced off site, I could see some of the excavated houses through the fence. In two main groups, the houses consist of very long buildings arranged side by side. There a reconstructed dwelling a bit further into the complex, which I could not get to see properly. This was all a big shame, as this was one of the sites I have been particularly looking forwards to seeing throughout my entire trip.