I think I have mentioned these troglodyte (cave dwelling) homes several times, but never actually published one. The cliffs around Amboise were mined for their limestone to build local châteaux and other important structures. The empty caves have since been taken over by wineries and home owners because they offer nearly constant year-round temperatures. The "catch" for home owners is of course that there is only one side exposed to the sunshine. Another is the fact that this stone is so soft that it tends to crumble and fall over time. Thus you may be able to see the wire netting over this exposed rock face to protect the homes and residents below.
Les troglodytes de la Loire me fascinaient quand j'étais enfant, j'imaginais plein d'histoires.... Il y a aussi les champignonnières en plus des caves... En tout cas, jolie photo avec ce rosier dégoulinant !
ReplyDelete"Plein d'histoires"... il semble un bon titre pour un livre.. peut-être de votre enfance !
DeleteIt looks so beautiful with the roses. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I hope our new roses turn out so happy.
DeleteReally pretty with the red flashing roses. In Namibia you can find many holes and as a quite small child my dad brought us my brother and me to the Dragon's Breath Hole in the Otavi Mountains near Grootfontein.In this hole you find the biggest subterrean lake in the world. The name is related to the fact that from time to time the hole blows off steam like dragons in a fairy tale. Today I would not be able to go down but as a child you feel it's scaring and wonderful all in one. And my brother is still today exploring holes.I hope to be able to comment your nice pics from time to time . Still many problems to overcome but the sky is blue , I'm reading a lot and in this way can escape from the daily sorrows.All your last posts are very beautiful.
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The Dragon's Breath Hole sounds fascinating. I'm trying to imagine an underground lake. My brother-in-law is a "caver" in West Virginia and has explored many interesting caves there (of course he was a geology student at university). I admire those who are willing to go down in these mysterious places to find treasures seen by the very few. Alas, I am not sure I would be up to it, as you say, it seems a bit scary. Anyway, I look forward to hearing of your progress and to the day when those problems are all behind you. Good reading !
DeleteGreat picture, I really like the composition and balance, what fascinating homes, I particularly like the chimney growing out of the rock!
ReplyDeleteYeah, sometimes when the cliff isn't as tall as this one, the chimney comes out of the very top and you never see the flue part.
DeleteI was reading earlier today that owners of troglos can expect changes to their structure in response to climate change. If it gets drier the rock will dry out and fall, if it gets wetter the rock will absorb a lot of water and become very heavy.
ReplyDeleteWhoa. I had no idea that the rock was that susceptible to changes in moisture. That is really scary stuff. I suspect we are still looking at the tip of the iceberg of problems that will arise if humanity doesn't get its act together soon.
DeleteNot sure I could live in one but I"d be there photographing it! Love the red spilling over the wall in the foreground as well.
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I completely agree. I think I'll keep my house with light coming in from four directions !
DeleteIt does make for a beautiful photograph!
ReplyDeleteThanks, William.
DeleteVery environmentally friendly, so one saves heating costs and electricity for air conditioning... and makes a good photograph!
ReplyDeleteYep. They win and I win !
DeleteThis one is so pretty Stuart, can almost imagine a wee French hobbit coming out of the front door. It wouldn't work pour moi either but it really is so photogenic oui :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't run across too many hobbits here. But you never know.
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